Nearly 20 killed as Nigerian forces attack Quds Day demonstration in Abuja
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters have been killed and wounded as security forces opened fire on an International Quds Day demonstration in Nigeria's capital city.
According to reports, at least 19 demonstrators were killed and dozens more wounded in Abuja on Friday.
Video footage of the scenes shows armed forces securing the perimeter as protestors flee for cover while bullet shots are heard. The footage also shows soldiers dragging the lifeless body of a civilian on the street and dumping it into a pickup while beating two other protesters and forcing them to get into another truck.
Disturbing video shows Nigerian forces firing at unarmed pro-Palestinian protesters during the International Quds Day rally in Abuja. pic.twitter.com/rz3QAloJLX
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 28, 2025
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) had expressed concern over attacks against protesters after it was revealed that Nigerian authorities were making preparations in this regard as a pretext for an attack.
The Office of the National Security Adviser had stressed the necessity to stop the al-Quds day demonstration to “prevent a breach of the peace” by the pro-Palestinian protesters, according to a leaked internal letter seen by the IHRC.
In the leaked communique, Nigerian authorities had warned that though the pro-Palestinian demonstrations were peaceful, the protesters had the potential to seek justice by attacking US and Israeli interests in the country. Therefore, their demos must be stopped.
This method has been used by Nigeria’s pro-Israel officials in recent years to prompt the forces to stage a violent crackdown on the demonstrators.
At least one person was killed, and many more were injured after police opened fire on the Quds Day demo in Abuja in 2023.
In 2014, Nigerian security forces killed 34 demonstrators after opening fire on a rally in Zaria.
The annual Quds Day demonstration is held worldwide by pro-Palestinian protesters on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.
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