Family members confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Ibrahim, a Palestinian-Nigerian who has lived in the country for decades, was picked up from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday.
The Head of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, has been arrested by operatives of the Anti-Terrorism Squad in Abuja, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Family members confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Ibrahim, a Palestinian-Nigerian who has lived in the country for decades, was picked up from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday.
A relative who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters said, “He was arrested on Friday by the security operatives. They identified themselves as the Anti-Terrorism squad. This man is not a stranger in Nigeria. He has been here for over 35 years, and he went to school in this country.
“As we speak, we (the family) don’t know where he is, and we don’t know which station he is being detained. The only reason we might link to his arrest was his recent advocacy on the growing attacks on journalists and other vulnerable people in Gaza.”
Ibrahim, who has been at the forefront of mobilising support for Palestinians in Nigeria, has in recent weeks intensified public commentary on the rising killings of journalists in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes.
When contacted for reaction, the Palestinian Embassy in Nigeria refused to comment on the arrest.
As of press time, Nigerian security agencies had not released any official statement regarding his arrest or his whereabouts.
The Guardian reported on Monday that 15 people, including four journalists, were killed after Israeli airstrikes hit al-Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.
This was confirmed by the Palestinian health officials, stating that those killed include Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters cameraman; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance reporter with the Associated Press; Mohammed Salam of Al Jazeera; and Moaz Abu Taha, who worked with NBC.
Another Reuters journalist, photographer Hatem Khaled, was seriously injured.
Footage broadcast by al-Ghad TV showed civil defence workers and journalists in bright orange vests rushing 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.
