Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria on Friday gathered in Abuja for a rally mourning the reported killing of Ali Khamenei.
The demonstration was the group’s first public rally in the Federal Capital Territory since the Iranian leader was reportedly killed on February 26 during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Thousands of members converged at the National Mosque Abuja as part of activities marking the annual Quds Day. Participants carried banners, waved flags and chanted slogans condemning Israeli actions against Palestinians.
Security presence was heightened across parts of Abuja ahead of the gathering amid fears of protests. The United States Embassy in Nigeria also temporarily suspended operations over concerns about possible demonstrations.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement, Ammar Rajab, said the movement has observed Quds Day in Nigeria for more than four decades through lectures, processions and awareness campaigns.
“This year’s observance is particularly urgent as reports indicate that over 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since October 2023, with hundreds of thousands displaced. Journalists have been barred from reporting the crisis, leaving the reality largely hidden.
“We also mourned the assassination of Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, highlighting his uncompromising stand against oppression and injustice, and reaffirmed the movement’s call for the freedom and liberation of Palestine,” Rajab said.
He dismissed reports that security operatives attacked members of the group during the rally.
“It is not true. We started peacefully and left without any intervention from the police,” he stated.
Residents in parts of Abuja reported traffic congestion along the Nyanya–Mararaba axis as security operatives mounted checkpoints and searched vehicles following the rally announcement.
A similar demonstration was also held in Bauchi State, where the movement reiterated support for Iran and the Palestinian cause.
Speaking on the protest, the group’s state leader, Ahmad Yashi, said the rally formed part of global activities marking Quds Day, which is observed on the last Friday of Ramadan.
“This is a known demonstration held on the last Friday of every Ramadan worldwide under the Quds Day platform. It is to show support and sympathy for Palestinians who have been under invasion for about eight decades,” Yashi said.
He maintained that demonstrations organised by the movement are peaceful and warned that the killing of Khamenei could further escalate tensions in the region.
“We are with Iran in heart and soul. They targeted the Iranian Supreme Leader to make the country surrender, but they are mistaken. The Supreme Leader, as a religious authority, was among those dousing tensions,” he added.
