Shiites accuse Tinubu government of keeping more than 60 minors in the Nigerian police unit 'abattoir' after attacking Abuja march

At a press conference on Friday, the group’s legal representatives, Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, addressed journalists following the alleged attack on March 28 to members of the Shi’ites group during a march in Abuja. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has promised to pursue legal action if the Nigerian government and the army do not release their detained members, including more than 60 minors. At a press conference on Friday, the group’s legal representatives, Bala Dakum and Yushau Uthman, addressed journalists following the alleged attack on March 28 to members of the Shi’ites group during a march in Abuja. “We are obliged to address you tonight because of the recent, avoidable, but unfortunate and cruel attack on our clients – the Shiite Muslim,” Dakum said. According to him, our clients came out on March 28, 2025, to commemorate their annual International Quds Day like their peers around the world. “While in their thousands of march in the Banex area, in their thousands, in their thousands, they were unexpectedly confronted by a group of armed soldiers, they sat on them on a good lead.” He continued, “Due to this inhuman, sloppy, cruel, barbaric and heinous attack, about 26 people lost their lives, more than 30 sustained different degrees of life -threatening injuries, and about 274 were arrested by the soldiers.” The detained individuals, including minors, were allegedly transferred to the now decomposed SARS facility in Abattoir, Garki. “Despite their serious conditions, they were forced to arrest or sign the police without legal representation, as opposed to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.” Dakum expressed concern about minors in the same cells as suspected criminals. “Under the arrested and continued were more than 60 minors, held in the same cells as individuals presumably committed of horrific crimes – a clear violation of the ACJA 2015 and the Children’s Rights Act.” He also condemned the continued withholding of corpses by the authorities. “The bodies are now held in unknown hospitals, which are Islamic rituals contrary to a quick and immediate burial.” This is confusing, if the deceased cannot be investigated or tried. “The legal team has announced that they are going to court over the bodies. “On several occasions, the court ruled in our favor and ordered the release of the bodies.” These individuals deserve immediate burial. They cannot be tried or investigated after death. “They are Muslims – and everyone knows that they are not supposed to keep going. They should have been buried immediately, ‘Dakum said. When asked what the next step would be if the detainees were not released, Dakum replied: ‘This is the only option available to us. We cannot use violence; We must follow the right process by approaching the courts. ‘ However, we hope that the reason reigns and they are released as soon as possible – especially the injured and the children among them, although we finally the release of all those in custody, ‘.