The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiite group, has accused security forces of concealing the bodies of its members allegedly killed during a clash with police and soldiers in Abuja on Friday.

The confrontation occurred during a procession marking International Quds Day, an annual event observed by Shiites to express solidarity with Palestine. The march, which began peacefully, reportedly escalated into violence, with both the IMN and security agencies giving conflicting accounts of the events.

According to IMN’s Resource Forum leader, Prof. Abdullahi Danladi, six members of the movement were killed, and 380 others—including women and children—were arrested and detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility in Guzape, Abuja.

Danladi alleged that security forces were withholding information on the number of casualties. “The police might have said they arrested 19 of our members, but reliable information confirmed that the Guard Brigade and the police have arrested 380 protesters. Six people were confirmed martyred,” he said.

He listed some of the deceased as Shaheed Ibraheem Dalhat (Sharif Albani), Shaheed Nasir Abubakar, Shaheed Abdulaziz Abubakar, and Shaheed Auwal Abbas Bichi.

“Security agents are hiding casualties and the corpses of those who passed away in unknown places,” Danladi claimed, adding that the movement would provide updates as more information emerged.

The police, however, have denied these allegations.

The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Josephine Adeh, stated that Shiite members were armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs and had attacked security operatives during the procession.

Adeh confirmed that two security personnel were severely injured and one was confirmed dead at the National Hospital, adding that 19 suspects had been arrested.

“The Shiite group is proscribed; therefore, their activities are illegal. Members of this group are always armed and known for attacking security agents without provocation. This will no longer be tolerated,” Adeh said.

She challenged the IMN to provide evidence of the alleged killings. “As for the casualties they claim, let them provide proof,” she added.

Danladi dismissed the police’s claims that IMN members were armed, calling it a cover-up. “It is a known fact that IMN has been carrying out its activities for over 40 years. We don’t kill or injure security operatives. We only suffer casualties when security forces attack us,” he said.

The IMN leader demanded the immediate release of all detained members and called for those responsible for the deaths to be held accountable.

The Shiite movement has been outlawed in Nigeria since 2019 after years of clashes with security forces. However, the group continues to stage processions and protests, arguing that the ban is being challenged in court and does not justify what it describes as extrajudicial killings of its members.

The case has reignited debates over the government’s handling of religious movements and security operations in Nigeria.