IHRC is concerned over reports that Nigerian security services are building a pretext to attack the annual Al-Quds Day demonstrations taking place across the country later today.

A leaked internal communique from the Office of the National Security Adviser that has been seen by IHRC advises of the need to “prevent a breach of the peace”, something that in recent years has been used as a justification by security forces to violently attack demonstrators.

The communique, dated March 26, also describes the demonstrators as inherently violent, potentially seeking to attack US and Israeli interests in the country.

We are worried that the misrepresentation of the overwhelmingly peaceful marches in support of the beleaguered Palestinian people may be laying the ground for another police attack on protestors.

In 2023 at least one person died and many more were injured after police opened fire on the Al-Quds Day march in Abuja. The most deadly attack on protestors occurred in July 2014 when police opened fire on a rally in Zaria, northern Nigeria, killing 34 people.

The Al-Quds Day parade takes place every year on the last Friday of Ramadan in towns and cities all over Nigeria, and indeed the Muslim world, to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.

For more information or comment please contact the Press Office on (+44) 7958522196[ENDS]

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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