A somber atmosphere filled the air as funeral prayers were held for the martyrs of the International Quds Day procession, observed by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). This solemn gathering comes after the Nigerian Army allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, killing dozens and leaving many others injured in Abuja on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Eyewitness reports confirm that the @HQNigerianArmy attacked unarmed participants of the Quds Day procession, an annual event held worldwide in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. The six recovered bodies laid to rest are just a fraction of the actual death toll, with many still unaccounted for.

Videos and images circulating online show chaotic scenes of people running for safety, while gunfire rang out in the streets. This brutal assault has once again drawn attention to the Nigerian military’s heavy-handed approach in handling protests, especially those linked to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

This is not the first time security forces have been accused of targeting members of the IMN. Over the years, clashes between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite movement have resulted in hundreds of deaths, with human rights organizations repeatedly calling for accountability.

Many Nigerians are now questioning the military’s motives—why does the state continue to unleash lethal force on peaceful demonstrators instead of protecting their constitutional right to assemble?

The indiscriminate killing of fellow Nigerian citizens by those sworn to protect them is an unforgivable crime. The perpetrators must not escape justice.

Human rights groups and activists have already begun demanding a full investigation, with calls for the international community to intervene. Will the Nigerian government hold the army accountable for this latest bloodshed, or will it once again sweep it under the rug?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—these acts of violence will never be forgotten, nor will they go unpunished.