Their remains were kept in the custody of security agencies and medical facilities until an Upper Area Court in Abuja ordered their release.
Thousands of mourners poured into Zaria, Kaduna State, on Wednesday, December 24, as four members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) were finally laid to rest months after they were allegedly gunned down by soldiers during a pro-Palestine procession in Abuja.
The deceased — Kabiru Usman, Huzaifa Muhammad Sani, Jafar Abdullahi and Uzairu Zakariya — were reportedly shot dead on March 28, 2025, during the annual Quds Day solidarity rally.
Their remains were kept in the custody of security agencies and medical facilities until an Upper Area Court in Abuja ordered their release.
The funeral, held at Darur Rahma Cemetery in Dembo, Zaria, coincided with 4 Rajab 1447 AH and drew an overwhelming crowd of relatives, supporters and followers of IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
The ruling, delivered by Hon. Gambo Garba, compelled the Nigeria Police and several hospitals — including National Hospital Abuja, Wuse General Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada — to release eight corpses in total linked to the March crackdown.
So far, only four have been buried, while the movement says authorities are still withholding the remaining four despite the court directive.
Speaking during the burial, Maryam Sani Argungu, Chairperson of Mu’assatus Shuhada (a foundation supporting families of deceased IMN members), alleged that the victims died from gunshot wounds inflicted by soldiers.
She vowed that the struggle for justice would continue: “We recognise that the path to justice is often filled with trials. Sheikh Zakzaky forewarned us that arrests, detentions and killings may occur. Nevertheless, we remain resolute and will not abandon this struggle.”
She also called on authorities to fully comply with the court order and release the remaining bodies without delay.
Members of the Islamic Movement say they would continue peaceful and lawful campaigns demanding justice for the slain activists and the immediate release of the remaining bodies.
They accused the authorities of violating the dignity and rights of the deceased and their families.
Security agencies have yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.