Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly referred to as the Shi’ite group, held a pro-Palestine protest in Bauchi on Friday.
A representative of the group, Ahmad Yashi, said the demonstration was organised to mark Quds Day, an event observed on the last Friday of every Ramadan to express support for Palestinians.
According to him, the protest was meant to show solidarity with Palestinians, whom he said have faced decades of occupation and hardship.
“This demonstration takes place on the last Friday of Ramadan worldwide under the Quds Day platform. It is meant to show support and sympathy for Palestinians who have been under invasion for nearly eight decades,” Yashi stated.
The group, which is loyal to Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, made the remarks during the demonstration in Bauchi.
Yashi also noted that their protests have historically been peaceful.
He alleged that previous disturbances during similar events were often caused by authorities who, he claimed, misunderstood the movement’s activities.
The Bauchi chapter of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also voiced support for Iran amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel.
Yashi argued that targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would only deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.
“We stand with Iran wholeheartedly. Those calling for the elimination of the Iranian Supreme Leader believe it will force the country to surrender, but that is not the case. As a religious authority, he is among those working to reduce tensions,” he said.
He further described Islam as a religion that promotes peace, while accusing Western powers of contributing to global instability.
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“Islam is a peaceful religion, but Western powers often create problems because they want others to submit to their interests. That era is over,” he added.
Yashi also revealed that members of the movement in Bauchi had previously organised a peaceful protest to express solidarity with Iran.
“We carried out a peaceful demonstration in support of Iran. In this conflict, every Muslim must choose a side either with those who are right or with the oppressors,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, Nafiu Habib, said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed officers to deploy personnel around key government facilities in the city ahead of the protest.
Habib explained that security operatives monitored the demonstration to prevent any disruption of public order.
He confirmed that the protest ended peacefully without any reported incident.
