The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, widely known as Shi’ites, on Wednesday, the 11th of March, 2026, rejected claims that it was planning attacks on American citizens or institutions in the country. The group maintained that its activities remain lawful and non-violent.
It also announced plans to hold this year’s Quds Day procession on Friday, the 13th of March, 2026, while mourning the death of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The clarification followed a recent security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, which warned of a possible terrorist threat targeting American diplomatic facilities and schools affiliated with the US in the country.
In the advisory released on Tuesday, the 10th of March, the embassy advised American citizens living in Nigeria to remain cautious when visiting US diplomatic locations and institutions connected to the American government.
The alert came amid rising global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Prof. Abdullah Danladi, dismissed suggestions that the group intended to launch attacks. He insisted the movement had never been involved in acts of violence.
He said, “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.”
Danladi also questioned the decision of the US Embassy to issue a public warning rather than report the matter to Nigerian security agencies.
“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,” he said.
He explained that the movement’s annual processions are usually peaceful and only become violent when security agencies intervene.
“Last year, when security agencies did not attack the procession, everything was done peacefully and concluded peacefully,” he stated.
According to him, the Quds Day procession will involve members moving along designated routes, displaying placards and raising awareness about the Palestinian cause.
“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.
Danladi added that the group does not need police approval to organise religious gatherings, citing constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly.
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“There is no law that says you must write the police to get permission to congregate and do your affairs,” he said.
He reassured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the planned procession would remain peaceful.
“Let people be rest 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 agencies had earlier increased their presence in some parts of Abuja last week following fears that members of the Shiite movement might stage protests linked to developments in Iran. The expected demonstrations, however, did not occur.
The IMN and security agencies have frequently clashed during protests in the Federal Capital Territory.
During one of the group’s demonstrations last year, a confrontation broke out between security operatives and IMN members during a procession marking International Quds Day near Banex Roundabout in Wuse 2.
The movement said some of its members were killed in the clash, while the police confirmed that an officer also lost his life.