4 slain Shi’ite members buried after court’s order

Thousands of mourners gathered in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Wednesday, December 24, as four members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)- also known as Shi’ites were laid to rest months after they were allegedly killed by soldiers during a pro-Palestine procession in Abuja.

The deceased — Kabiru Usman, Huzaifa Muhammad Sani, Jafar Abdullahi and Uzairu Zakariya — were reportedly shot dead on March 28, 2025, during the annual Quds Day solidarity rally held in the Federal Capital Territory.

Following their deaths, the bodies were retained by security agencies and medical facilities until an Upper Area Court sitting in Abuja ordered their release.

The burial ceremony took place at Darur Rahma Cemetery in Dembo, Zaria, and coincided with 4 Rajab 1447 AH. The event attracted a large turnout of family members, sympathisers and followers of IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

The court ruling, delivered by Gambo Garba, directed the Nigeria Police and several hospitals — National Hospital Abuja, Wuse General Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada — to release a total of eight corpses connected to the March incident.

However, the Islamic Movement disclosed that only four bodies have so far been released and buried, while authorities are allegedly still withholding the remaining four despite the court order.

Speaking at the burial, Maryam Sani Argungu, Chairperson of Mu’assatus Shuhada, a foundation that supports families of deceased IMN members, alleged that the victims died as a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by soldiers.

She reaffirmed the group’s commitment to seeking justice, stating: “We recognise that the path to justice is often filled with trials. Sheikh Zakzaky forewarned us that arrests, detentions and killings may occur. Nevertheless, we remain resolute and will not abandon this struggle.”

Argungu also urged authorities to fully comply with the court directive by releasing the remaining bodies without further delay.

Members of the Islamic Movement said they would continue to pursue peaceful and lawful actions in their demand for justice for those killed and the immediate release of the remaining corpses.

They accused the authorities of disrespecting the dignity and fundamental rights of both the deceased and their families.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued any public response to the allegations.