|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Claim: A viral WhatsApp message claims that members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) have scheduled a street processions on Feb. 23, 2025.
Verdict: Partly True! According to the United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria and other news reports, the protest is scheduled for March 28, not Feb. 23, 2025.
Full Text
Protests in Nigeria are a recurring issue fueled by political, religious, and economic factors, as well as ethnic and religious tensions.
A WhatsApp message recently circulated claims that members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) plan to hold street processions to commemorate International Qudus Day in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa state, and other major cities across Nigeria.
The beginning of the text, which has been forwarded many times, warns of the risk of movement disruption due to a planned protest in parts of Abuja and Nasarawa state on Feb. 23, 2025. The message contradicts itself by saying the street procession is scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2025.
The message highlighted New Nyanya, Bannex Plaza, Berger Junction, Rugan Julli Mararaba, Wuse Market Junction, Unity Fountain, National Human Rights Commission Head Office, Eagle Square, Area 10 Shopping Plaza, National Mosque, Al-Noor Mosque, and Fouad Lababidi Mosque as target locations in Nasarawa State and the FCT.
DUBAWA decided to investigate the viral message because of conflicting dates it contained, one of which had passed.
Verification
A keyword search on the message reveals that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) called for demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities for March 28, 2025, not Feb. 23, 2025, as noted in the first part of the viral message.
The United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria also warned that, based on past occurrences, this protest may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission reported earlier today, March 28, that it had received reports that Nigerian security services are building a pretext to attack the annual Al-Quds Day demonstrations taking place across the country, which further proves the protest is happening on March 28.
Daily Post Nigeria, Politics Nigeria, and Zagazole also reported on this development. These reports confirm that the protest is slated for March 28, 2025, not Feb. 23, 2025.
Seeing that the post was credited to BSIL 2025, we looked up the name to find the message’s source but could not find anything.
Conclusion
The viral message states that the IMN procession to celebrate International Qudus Day is scheduled for March 28, not February 23.
