Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN)

The main articles are:

• Nigeria
• Islam

For 2019, Shiites are a minority in Nigeria, but the number is growing.

The IMN, formed in the 1980s, is the main Shia group led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

Some northern states have Shia schools and hospitals.

The IMN is backed by Shiite Iran, and members of the movement often travel there to study.

The Sunni jihadist group Boko Haram (active in the country's northeast) denounces Shia as heretics who should be killed.

2019

Government bans Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN)

In July 2019, the Nigerian authorities made such a decision after the riots caused by Shiites from the IMN, who are demanding the release of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaki.

"The IMN ban has nothing to do with law-abiding Shiites in the country. The ban should discourage senseless violence, killings and the deliberate destruction of public and private property, "President Mohammad Buhari said.

At least six protesters, a journalist and a senior police officer have been killed during clashes in recent weeks.

The IMN, which emerged as a student movement in the late 1970s, was inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran and has close ties to that country.

In August 2019, a Nigerian court granted bail to Shiite leader Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The defense of the sheikh in custody since 2015 managed to convince the court that Zakzaky needs medical care provided in India.

Clashes with police during protests demanding the release of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky

The Nigerian National Assembly had clashes between police and Shia protesters in July 2019.

Members of the pro-Iran Shia Muslim group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), protested the detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. He has been in custody since 2015.

IMN member Abdullahi Muhammad Musa told Reuters news agency that police opened fire, killing two protesters as they tried to enter the assembly building peacefully. Police said eight officers were injured.

2015:347 IMN members killed in clashes with army

Sheikh Zakzaky's followers regularly protest after clashes with the army in 2015.

Authorities accused his supporters of attempting to assassinate the army chief of staff. During these clashes, the military killed 347 members of the IMN, while the army lost one person.