Hawzah News Agency- However, for the followers of Islamic Movement, these words are hard to understand in practice. For many years, they have faced arrests, violence, and public discrimination because of their religious beliefs. These problems have continued for a long time, many of them feel that the President’s statement does not reflect what they experience in real life.
Under the current administration, activists of this movement have continued to suffer because of their faith. On 28 March 2025, several of them were killed, and thirty-two were officially confirmed as martyrs. Even more troubling is that the bodies of twenty-six victims were kept by the government for months and were only partly released on 23 December 2025.
Many others are still being held in detention without trial. Their only alleged offence is practicing their religion peacefully. This situation clearly goes against the claim that religion should never be a reason for persecution.
If religion is truly not a reason for persecution, why are these people still being targeted? If human life is sacred, why does it seem that the lives of some Nigerians are not being protected?
This column is not written to cause anger or conflict. It is written to point out the clear gap between official assurances and real actions. Religious freedom should not exist only in speeches, but in fair treatment, justice, and equal protection for all citizens.
Source: Islamic Movement of Nigeria
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