Despite denials by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, that it plans to attack American citizens or institutions in the country, the United States embassy in Nigeria yesterday warned its citizens to stay indoors today as the group mark this year’s Quds Day.

The Quds Day is an annual pro-Palestinian event held on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to express support for Palestinians and oppose Israel and Zionism. IMN also announced that it has fixed Friday, March 13, to mark this year’s Quds Day and to mourn the death of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This is the third advisory the embassy has issued since the U.S./Israel war on Iran began on February 28. An earlier warning was issued on Tuesday of a possible terrorist threat targeting U.S. facilities and U.S.-affiliated schools in the country.

In the security alert issued last night, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja informed U.S. citizens that the IMN has announced its intention to assemble and march in Abuja and other cities in Nigeria today to recognise International Quds Day.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate quickly. Local authorities are expected to increase security measures, including road closures, traffic restrictions, or increased police presence in areas where demonstrations occur. Previous demonstrations by IMN have resulted in violent clashes with Nigerian security forces. The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens remain in their residences on Friday, March 13, beginning at 1:30 pm and through the remainder of the day.”

IMN on its part insists that its activities remain peaceful and lawful. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the head of the IMN Resource Forum, Prof Abdullah Danladi, dismissed insinuations that the group or its members were planning attacks, stressing that the movement had never engaged in violence.

He said, “In the history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which started around 1977, we have never attacked anybody or given instructions to attack anybody.

“We had never, and we will never attack anybody. It is not in our line, it is not in our making, and it is not in our religion to attack anyone.”

He questioned why the US Embassy issued a public alert instead of reporting its concerns to Nigerian security agencies.