MPAC raises alarm over silence on Abu Ibrahim’s arrest
By Lateef Odegbenle
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has expressed deep concern over media reports that Mr. Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, the head of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, was allegedly arrested by security operatives believed to be members of an anti-terrorism squad in Abuja.
According to the reports, Abu Ibrahim was taken from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Neither his family nor the Palestinian Embassy in Abuja has reportedly received any official information about the circumstances of his detention.
As of Monday, no Nigerian security agency had issued a statement to confirm or deny his arrest, fueling speculations and anxiety among members of the Palestinian and wider Muslim community in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC said while it fully supports Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, it is imperative that such operations are carried out with fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights.
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“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,” Kamor stated.
The group expressed particular worry over reports suggesting that Abu Ibrahim’s arrest may be linked to his recent public advocacy on atrocities in Gaza, where civilians and journalists have been killed in ongoing conflicts.
“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,” the statement added.
The Merit Newspaper reports that MPAC called on the Nigerian government to urgently confirm whether Abu Ibrahim is in state custody, disclose the reasons for his detention, and guarantee his safety and access to legal representation in line with the Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The organization further cautioned against what it described as “outsourced persecution” targeting Palestinians or their advocates, insisting that Nigeria must not allow itself to be used by foreign or local entities to victimize vulnerable communities.
“Nigeria’s credibility in global justice issues rests on its tradition of supporting oppressed peoples across the world,” MPAC noted. “The fight against terrorism must be firm, focused, and fair.”
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As at press time, security authorities had not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
