In a move that has sparked national attention, the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, an Osun State-based Islamic cleric and leader of the Ta’awunu Muslimeen group, following his involvement in a pro-Palestine protest.
The arrest came after a video surfaced online showing Molaasan and his followers marching in support of Palestine’s liberation from Israeli occupation. The footage, which quickly went viral, showed participants waving Palestinian flags and chanting for Palestinian freedom. The protest, held in Iwo, Osun State, raised concerns across social media, with many questioning the implications of such public demonstrations.
Ta’awunu Muslimeen, known for advocating Muslim causes globally, has previously organized similar rallies, including a notable protest in 2018.
This latest demonstration was marked by participants pledging allegiance to the Qur’an and Sunnah, with some displaying coordinated arm gestures that drew sharp criticism.
Observers pointed out that the gestures resembled Nazi-style salutes, prompting further unease.
Additionally, the presence of children at the protest, chanting fervently, sparked worries about the potential for radicalization, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
While the protest was framed by its organizers as an expression of solidarity with Palestine, the security implications raised by the DSS and various social commentators cannot be ignored.
The arrest of Molaasan highlights the tension between freedom of expression and national security concerns, especially as Nigeria grapples with the complexities of religious extremism and youth mobilization.
