According to a report by the Punch on Thursdays, March 5, 2026, security agencies on Wednesday intensified their presence across key areas of Abuja in anticipation of a possible demonstration by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
At Berger Roundabout, multiple patrol vehicles from the military, police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were stationed, with armed personnel maintaining a visible presence. Gun trucks from the Guards Brigade were also seen deployed in the area.
Our correspondent observed officers conducting stop-and-search operations on both vehicles and commuters, causing traffic congestion and slow movement around major intersections. Similar security deployments were seen along the Kubwa Expressway, Nyanya-Maraba axis, and parts of the city centre, all intended to prevent any potential disruption of law and order.
The IMN has a history of clashes with security forces during protests in the Federal Capital Territory. In one demonstration last year, violence erupted during a procession marking International Quds Day near Banex Roundabout in Wuse 2, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Speaking to The PUNCH, the group’s lawyer, Abdullahi Musa, dismissed the notion of a planned protest, describing the heavy security deployment as unnecessary. “The entire thing is laughable. We never had intentions of protesting in Abuja,” he said.
Earlier, IMN members had staged protests in Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Lagos states to condemn what they described as joint U.S.–Israel aggression against Iran. In Niger State on Sunday, demonstrators led by IMN leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky carried Iranian flags and chanted slogans of solidarity.
Amid rising tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja issued a warning to its citizens about potential demonstrations linked to the Middle East conflict. The embassy advised residents to remain indoors and avoid areas where protests might occur and announced the cancellation of all visa appointments scheduled for March 4, 2026, with affected applicants to be contacted for rescheduling.
The IMN, through its Media Forum President, Malam Ammar Muhammad, emphasised that their protests are peaceful and aim to express solidarity with Iran without resorting to violence. Muhammad noted that the movement has consistently advocated for justice and social reform over the past five decades and that its solidarity with oppressed people worldwide, including Iran, aligns with its historical stance.
Muhammad further clarified that while many members are Shi’a Muslims, the movement is not strictly sectarian and accommodates people from diverse backgrounds who share its ideological vision. The protests, he said, were intended solely to register grievances and reaffirm the movement’s commitment to justice and opposition to oppression.