The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, on Wednesday denied allegations that it plans to attack American citizens or institutions in the country, insisting that its activities remain peaceful and lawful. The group also announced that it has fixed Friday, March 13, 2026, to mark this year’s Quds Day and to mourn the death of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The clarification comes amid heightened concerns following a recent security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Nigeria warning of a potential terrorist threat targeting American diplomatic facilities and US-affiliated schools in the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Prof Abdullah Danladi, dismissed insinuations that the movement or its members were planning attacks, stressing that the organisation had never engaged in violence since its formation. He stated, “In the history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which started around 1977, we have never attacked anybody or given instructions to attack anybody. We had never, and we will never attack anybody. It is not in our line, it is not in our making, and it is not in our religion to attack anyone.”
The IMN’s response followed the advisory released on Tuesday by the United States Embassy in Nigeria urging American citizens in the country to exercise increased vigilance when visiting US diplomatic premises and institutions linked to the American government. The alert came against the backdrop of heightened global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have raised concerns about possible retaliatory threats or demonstrations in different parts of the world.
Responding to the advisory, Danladi questioned why the embassy chose to issue a public warning rather than communicate its concerns directly to Nigerian security agencies. He said, “Why should an embassy go public with such announcements? If there is any threat, the proper thing is to report it to the Nigerian police so they can investigate and apprehend those planning such actions.” According to him, there was no basis for linking the IMN to any threat against American interests in Nigeria, adding that the movement has historically maintained a non-violent approach to its activities and demonstrations.
Danladi also explained that the movement’s annual Quds Day processions are typically peaceful and only escalate into confrontations when security agencies intervene. He recalled that previous processions had been conducted without incident when security operatives did not disrupt them. “Last year, when security agencies did not attack the procession, everything was done peacefully and concluded peacefully,” he stated.
According to him, the procession planned for Friday would involve members of the movement walking along designated routes in a peaceful demonstration aimed at drawing attention to the Palestinian cause and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. He explained that participants would carry placards and engage in public awareness activities along the procession route. “What we do is follow the streets, educate people and carry placards. If the police allow us to conduct our activities as they did last year, there will be no problem,” he said, reiterating that the activities were intended to be peaceful and orderly.
The IMN spokesman further maintained that the group does not require police permission to organise religious gatherings or peaceful processions, arguing that such activities are protected under constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly. “There is no law that says you must write to the police to get permission to congregate and do your affairs,” Danladi said.
He assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that there was no cause for alarm regarding the planned procession, emphasizing that the movement remained committed to conducting its activities peacefully. “Let people be assured. As far as we are concerned, we have been doing our activities peacefully, and we will continue to do so. So long as we are not attacked, nothing is going to happen,” he added.
Security operatives had earlier heightened deployment in parts of Abuja last week amid fears that members of the Shi’ite movement might stage protests following developments in Iran, although the anticipated demonstrations did not take place. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria and security agencies have a long history of clashes during protests in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly during processions organised by the group.
In one of the demonstrations held last year to mark International Quds Day, a violent confrontation broke out between security operatives and IMN members during a procession near Banex Roundabout in the Wuse 2 district of Abuja. The group claimed that some of its members were killed during the clash, while police authorities confirmed that one of their officers also died in the incident, highlighting the tense relationship that has often characterised interactions between the movement and law enforcement during public demonstrations in the capital.