The Head of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, has been reportedly arrested by operatives of the Anti-Terrorism Squad in Abuja.
Family members confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Ibrahim, a Palestinian-Nigerian who has lived in the country for over 35 years, was picked up from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday.
A relative who spoke exclusively to the outlet said, “He was arrested on Friday by security operatives who identified themselves as the Anti-Terrorism Squad. This man is not a stranger in Nigeria.
“He studied here and has been a part of this country for decades. As we speak, we do not know where he is being detained. The only possible reason for his arrest could be linked to his recent advocacy regarding attacks on journalists and civilians in Gaza.”
Muslim News gathered that Abu Ibrahim’s ‘arrest’ was coming barely a week after Nigeria and the State of Israel reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaborations in key areas including counter-terrorism, intelligence, information sharing, security financing, and training.
Abu Ibrahim has reportedly been at the forefront of mobilising support for the Palestinian cause in Nigeria. In recent weeks, he had intensified public commentary on the rising number of journalists killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
When contacted by Sahara Reporters, the Palestinian Embassy in Nigeria declined to comment on the arrest. As of press time, Nigerian security agencies had not issued any official statement regarding Ibrahim’s detention or whereabouts.
Meanwhile, reports from Gaza on Monday indicated that 15 people, including five journalists, were killed after Israeli airstrikes hit al-Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.
Palestinian health officials confirmed the deaths, naming the journalists as Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters cameraman; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance reporter with the Associated Press; Mohammed Salam of Al Jazeera; Ahmed Abu and Moaz Abu Taha, who worked with NBC. Another Reuters photographer, Hatem Khaled, was critically injured.
Footage aired by al-Ghad TV showed civil defence workers and journalists attempting to recover al-Masri’s body when they themselves came under fire. In their final moments, the rescuers raised their hands for protection before being struck.
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