Group Protests, Demands Release of Detained Palestinian Leader, Abu Ibrahim

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

The United Action for Democracy, UAD, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the immediate and unconditional release of Ramzy Abu Ibrahim and other Palestinian community leaders reportedly detained by Nigerian security agencies.

The call was made in Abuja during a peaceful protest to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by UAD Secretary, Kunle Ajayi Wizeman.

The group expressed outrage at the arrests, describing them as a violation of due process and fundamental human rights conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The protesters warned that Nigeria must not allow itself to be drawn into the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine. They argued that the country, already struggling with economic hardship, insecurity, and social instability, cannot afford to become a pawn in foreign proxy wars.

According to UAD, the detention of Abu Ibrahim, a vocal advocate against attacks on civilians and journalists in Gaza, is directly linked to his activism. The group linked the move to the recent security and intelligence pact signed between Nigeria and Israel, raising fears that Nigeria’s security apparatus is being used to silence legitimate voices of solidarity with Palestine.

Civil society organizations supporting the protest stressed that advocacy for Palestinian rights is not a crime, and that suppressing such voices undermines democracy, human rights, and Nigeria’s constitutional values.

They reiterated their support for a two-state solution as the only sustainable path to peace in the Middle East.

Co-signing the demand for Ibrahim’s release were several organizations, including All Workers Convergence, Lagos State Liberation Congress, Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, Yoruba Youth Assembly, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy, Center Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, Youth Initiative Agenda for Democratic Process, Southwest People Parliamentary Agenda, Peace Initiative for Better Nigeria, and Youth League Academy.