The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly taken into custody an Islamic cleric based in Iwo Area of Osun State, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, following a controversial pro-Palestine demonstration held in Iwo.
Sheikh Molaasan, who leads the Ta’awunu Muslimeen group, was said to have been arrested after a video circulated widely on social media showing him and his followers staging a street protest and openly calling for the liberation of Palestine from Israeli occupation.
In the viral footage, members of the group were seen waving Palestinian flags and chanting religious slogans, actions that quickly ignited heated debates online and raised security red flags among members of the public.
Critics questioned the intent and implications of the march, particularly given Nigeria’s fragile security environment.
Ta’awunu Muslimeen describes itself as an Islamic movement committed to the teachings of Islam and advocacy for global Muslim causes.
The group has a history of organising pro-Palestine activities, including a similar demonstration reportedly held in 2018.
However, aspects of the Iwo protest drew sharp criticism.
Observers pointed to coordinated arm gestures made by participants, which some social media users likened to extremist symbolism, including comparisons with Nazi-style salutes.
The visible participation of children chanting intense religious slogans further deepened public anxiety, with concerns that such actions could encourage radicalisation.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about the limits of protest, religious expression, and national security in Nigeria, particularly as the country continues to battle various forms of violent extremism.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS has not issued an official statement confirming the arrest or clarifying the specific allegations or charges against Sheikh Molaasan.
