Scores of Shia Muslims in Nigeria held a pro Iran rally on Friday, carrying images of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanting “Shame to America” despite a heavy security presence in the capital.
Around 200 faithful gathered after afternoon prayers at the Abuja National Mosque, chanting anti Israel and anti US slogans, an AFP reporter at the scene observed, as the United States and Israel continue their ardments of Iran that began two weeks ago.
“Shame to America, shame to Israel,” the protesters chanted while police officers stood on alert at the mosque.
The rally was organised by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a pro Iran group of Shias who are a minority among Nigeria’s Muslims. The crowd, which appeared to catch security forces off guard by gathering inside mosque grounds, dispersed after approximately 15 minutes.
The IMN has been banned by Nigerian authorities for advocating an Islamic revolution in the west African nation. However, researchers at the time of the ban in 2019 described the group as more focused on protest than political violence.
The IMN had also led marches through major cities in northern Nigeria on March 1, following the start of the US Israeli ing campaign that ed Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and escalated the regional conflict. Last week, the US embassy closed due to potential protests, as the IMN had been attempting to stage demonstrations that were prevented by security forces.
Traffic on Friday morning was heavily affected as roads leading into Abuja experienced standstill conditions due to checkpoints and heightened security presence. Nigerian authorities have previously cracked down on the IMN, including clashes last year that left 11 protesters and one solr dead, according to intelligence reports.
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