Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly arrested an Osun State–based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, following a pro-Palestine protest held in the state.
According to Western Post, Sheikh Molaasan, the leader of the Islamic group Ta’awunu Muslimeen, was taken into custody after a video circulated on social media showing him and his followers staging a demonstration in support of Palestine.
In the footage, participants were seen waving Palestinian flags and calling for the liberation of Palestinian territories under Israeli occupation.
The video quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate and raising security concerns among members of the public.
Observers pointed to the group’s history of organizing similar pro-Palestine demonstrations, including one held in 2018, as a factor in heightened scrutiny.
During the march in Iwo, Osun State, protesters were seen pledging allegiance to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
However, certain actions captured in the footage, particularly synchronized arm gestures, attracted criticism on social media, with some commentators drawing comparisons to Nazi-style salutes.
Public concern was further amplified by the presence of children participating in the protest and chanting strong religious slogans. The development has unsettled many Nigerians amid ongoing national concerns over security, radicalisation, and religious extremism.
As of the time of reporting, the DSS has not issued an official statement detailing the specific grounds for Sheikh Molaasan’s arrest.
