CSOs demand release of Palestinian community leader in Nigeria

A coalition of civil society groups under the United Action for Democracy (UAD) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate and unconditional release of Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, the leader of the Palestinian community in Nigeria, who was recently arrested in Abuja.

Ibrahim and several other Palestinian community leaders were reportedly picked up by operatives of the Police Anti-Terrorism Squad in the Federal Capital Territory.

Before his arrest, Ibrahim was known as an activist advocating for peace in the Israel–Palestine conflict. The CSOs believe this activism is the main reason for his detention.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Kunle Ajayi, and dated Wednesday, the coalition condemned the action, describing it as an “abduction” that violates due process and breaches international human rights principles that Nigeria has pledged to uphold.

The group also cautioned the Nigerian government against being dragged into the Middle East crisis, insisting that the rights of Palestinians living in Nigeria must be respected.

“We call on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release Ramzy Abu Ibrahim and all other detained Palestinian community leaders,” the statement read.