Tensions are mounting in Nigeria’s capital as reports emerge of planned early-morning raids by security forces targeting Shiite communities, particularly supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). The alarm was raised by Abdullahi Sulaiman Bala, an X user, who posted late Sunday night, warning of a potential crackdown and urging action to prevent what he called an “Abuja Massacre.” Bala’s post, which tagged several Nigerian media outlets, stated, “The Nigerian government has a history of violently cracking down on the Islamic Movement. We must stop them this time. #AbujaMassacreAlert.”
The warning comes amid a long history of violent confrontations between the Nigerian government and the IMN, a banned Shia Muslim group led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. According to a report by SaharaReporters, security agents are planning coordinated attacks on the homes and properties of IMN followers in Abuja and surrounding areas, including Maraba, scheduled for 2:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7. Sources revealed that security personnel have advised their relatives to steer clear of Shiite-associated locations, signaling a deliberate and large-scale operation.