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Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, led by Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, yesterday, Sunday, March 1, 2026, protested in Gombe, Niger, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe and Sokoto states over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
This is even as the Nigeria Police Force has ordered all the Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to heighten surveillance across the country.
The Force directed them to pay a particular attention to the North Central, the North East and the North West of Nigeria amidst tensions in the Middle East.
Shiites and Iran are connected by shared faith, religious leadership, history and a common sense of global identity, with Iran acting as the symbolic and practical hub of Shi’a Islam.
Security agencies in Nigeria have always responded to the IMN’s mobilisation of its members in the North for solidarity with Iran on any event.
Protests by the Shi’ites were also reported in Kano, Bauchi and Yobe States yesterday.
Members of the IMN held a peaceful demonstration in Gombe on Sunday over Khamenei’s killing.
They gathered after observing prayers, marched from their religious centre in the Tudun Wadan Pantami area of Gombe metropolis.
They displayed placards with inscriptions denouncing the incident and called for justice.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Sheikh Muhammad Abbari Gombe, described the US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran as unfortunate and unacceptable.
He urged followers to remain calm and law-abiding, while continuing to express their views through peaceful means.
The protesters said the demonstration was intended to register their grievances and show solidarity for Iran.
Security presence was observed in parts of the metropolis during the procession.
In Niger State, Shi’ites were also reported to have staged a similar protest yesterday, marching through parts of the state, chanting solidarity slogans and waving Iranian flags and placards with inscriptions like “We Stand With Iran,” “Free Iran,” and other anti-US and anti-Israel messages.
In a statement circulated among its supporters, the IMN expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Khamenei, vowed to continue to support Iranians and resist what they termed Western interference in Middle Eastern affairs.
At the same vein, some Muslims in Sokoto State were said to have protested against Khamenei’s killing, chanting slogans and displaying placards.
IGP puts N/Central, N/East, N/West under surveillance
Following the protests by members of the IMN, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, according to a statement by the Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, yesterday ordered all the Commissioners of Police in the states and the Federal Capital Territory to heighten surveillance across Nigeria.
Disu directed the CPs to pay a particular attention to the North Central, the North East and the North West of the country amid developments in the Middle East occasioned by the US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran.
The acting IGP asked the police commissioners to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering by strengthening collaboration with traditional and religious leaders.
He also asked them to enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces and swiftly address any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit global developments to incite unrest or sectarian tension.
The statement read in part: “The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Olatunji Disu reassures all Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives, property, and national peace, in light of evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their potential global implications.
“While Nigeria remains stable and its internal security situation firmly under control, the Force has reinforced proactive, intelligence-led policing measures across the country.
“The Ag. IGP has directed all Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, with particular attention to the North West, North East, and North Central zones, to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering, strengthen collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces, and swiftly address any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit global developments to incite unrest or sectarian te
