The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shi’ites, on Wednesday rejected claims that it plans to attack American citizens or institutions in the country, maintaining that its activities are peaceful and lawful.
The group also disclosed that it would hold its annual Quds Day procession on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Abuja to commemorate the day and mourn the death of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The announcement followed a security advisory issued by the United States Embassy in Nigeria warning of a possible terrorist threat targeting American diplomatic facilities and schools affiliated with the US government in Nigeria.
In the alert released on Tuesday, the embassy urged American citizens residing in the country to remain vigilant while visiting US diplomatic missions and other facilities linked to the American government.
The advisory was issued amid heightened global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Abdullah Danladi, dismissed suggestions that the group was planning attacks, insisting that the movement had never engaged in violence since its establishment.
He said the organisation, founded around 1977, had no history of directing its members to carry out attacks against individuals or institutions.
According to him, the movement’s doctrine does not support violence.
Danladi also questioned why the US embassy chose to issue a public security alert rather than channel its concerns through Nigerian security agencies.
He argued that any perceived threat should have been formally reported to the police for investigation and possible arrest of those responsible.
He further stated that the IMN’s yearly processions are generally peaceful and only become tense when security agencies intervene.
Danladi noted that during last year’s event, the procession ended peacefully because security operatives did not disrupt it.
He explained that the planned Quds Day march would involve members moving along designated routes in the city, carrying placards and sensitising the public about the Palestinian cause.
He added that the procession would remain peaceful if security agencies allowed participants to conduct their activities without interference.
Danladi also maintained that the group does not require police approval to organise religious gatherings, citing constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
He assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the planned procession would be orderly and non-violent, stressing that the group had consistently carried out its activities peacefully.
Security operatives had last week increased deployment across parts of Abuja amid concerns that members of the Shi’ite movement might stage protests following developments in Iran, although the anticipated demonstrations did not occur.
The IMN and security agencies have previously clashed during protests in the Federal Capital Territory.
One such confrontation occurred during last year’s International Quds Day procession near the Banex Roundabout in Wuse 2, where security operatives and IMN members engaged in a violent clash.