Civil society organisations in Nigeria have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Palestinian leader Ramzy Abu Ibrahim and other detained members of the Palestinian community, warning that their arrests violate fundamental rights and could draw Nigeria into the Israel–Palestine conflict.
In a joint statement, signed by Omotaje Olawale Saint of WorkBond International Network (WIN) and Kunle Ajayi Wizeman of United Action for Democracy (UAD), a coalition of civic groups—including WIN, UAD, All Workers Convergence, Lagos State Liberation Congress, and the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights—condemned Abu Ibrahim’s detention. They said it was directly linked to his activism against Israeli actions in Gaza and coincided with Nigeria’s recent security and intelligence pact with Israel.
“Fragile Nigerian state cannot afford to toy with fire,” the statement read. “Nigeria can ill afford being dragged willy-nilly into the Middle East burning crisis. We are already battling a battered economy, fragile security, farmers/herders’ clashes, and orgies of social vices.”
The coalition emphasised that advocacy for the rights of Palestinians is not a crime and that Nigeria must not allow foreign interests to dictate the use of its security agencies. “The detention of Abu Ibrahim and other Palestinian community leaders is an assault on freedom of expression, association, and human rights,” they said, noting that the arrests contravene both Nigeria’s constitution and international conventions.
The groups also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to uphold Nigeria’s independence, resist becoming a proxy in foreign conflicts, and review any agreements with Israel that could compromise national sovereignty. They further urged solidarity with Palestinians, advocating a “Two-Nation State” solution as the path to a just and lasting peace.
READ MORE:
Exclusive: Nigerian Police Inspector, Lawal Ibrahim, Dies in Abuja Hotel
