In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

(Lagos, Monday, 25/08/2025) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has received with deep concern media reports of the arrest of Mr. Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, the head of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, by operatives alleged to be members of an anti-terrorism squad. According to reports, Mr. Abu Ibrahim was taken from his Abuja residence on Friday, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Neither his family, the Palestinian Embassy in Abuja, nor the public has been informed of the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

As of this release, no official statement has been issued by the Nigerian security agencies to confirm or clarify the reasons for his detention.

MPAC wholeheartedly supports Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and recognizes the duty of the state to hold accountable anyone who commits a crime, plans to do so, or poses a threat to the nation’s security and our collective safety. However, we equally insist that counter-terrorism operations must be guided by transparency, accountability, and fairness. Innocent people must never become victims of smear campaigns, policy-driven harassment, or politically motivated arrests and trials.

In particular, we express concern over reports suggesting that Mr. Abu Ibrahim’s arrest may be linked to his recent public advocacy on the atrocities being committed in Gaza, including the killing of journalists and civilians. If this is true, such action would raise serious questions about attempts to silence legitimate voices of conscience and solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.

MPAC therefore calls on Nigerian authorities to:

– Confirm without delay whether Mr. Ramzy Abu Ibrahim has indeed been arrested by state agents.

– Publicly disclose the reasons for his detention and provide assurances of due process.

– Ensure his safety and access to legal representation in line with Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights obligations.

– Guard against outsourced persecution, victimization of innocent persons, particularly members of vulnerable communities such as the Palestinian community in Nigeria.

Nigeria must not allow itself to be used – directly or indirectly – by foreign or local entities seeking to target Palestinians or their advocates. Upholding justice, fairness, and transparency in this matter is not only critical to the credibility of Nigeria’s security institutions, but also to our nation’s longstanding tradition of supporting oppressed peoples across the world.

The fight against terrorism must be firm, focused, and (seen to be) fair. Nigeria’s commitment to justice and human dignity demands nothing less.

-End-

Disu Kamor

Executive Chairman,

Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC)

kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org