By Zainab Rauf
THE ISLAMIC Movement in Nigeria has accused the Nigerian Police Force of disrupting peaceful and lawful religious programmes in Abuja, describing the actions as intimidation and a violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Sunday, signed by Prof. Abdullahi Danladi of the Resource Forum, Islamic Movement, and dated December 14, 2025, the movement demanded an immediate end to what it described as the harassment and disruption of peaceful religious gatherings, full respect for constitutional rights and human dignity, and accountability for officers and authorities allegedly responsible for the actions.
The movement stated that armed police officers were deployed to disrupt two indoor events: a celebration marking the birthday of Sayyida Fatima Zahra held in Gwarimpa on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and a programme scheduled to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Zaria Massacre on December 13, 2025, also in Abuja.
“Both programmes were scheduled to hold inside halls and posed no security threat,” the statement added. “Yet armed officers were sent as if to confront criminals or insurgents. This is not security; this is persecution.”
The Islamic movement argued that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, association, and peaceful assembly, and questioned what it described as the selective application of these rights.
It further accused security agencies of focusing on peaceful citizens while the country continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity.
Describing the alleged actions as systematic and deliberate, the movement warned that persistent intimidation of unarmed civilians could provoke unnecessary tension and undermine public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
“The police appear hell-bent on intimidating unarmed civilians and provoking violence where none exists,” the statement warned.
The statement also called on civil society organisations, human rights groups, the media, and the international community to take note of what it described as state-sanctioned repression.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Police Force had not responded to the allegations.
