The protests, initiated on August 1, 2024, were organized to express the deep-seated grievances of Nigerians regarding severe socioeconomic hardship and pervasive insecurity affecting the country, including Kaduna State.

In an interview with Arise TV, Mr. Mansur Hassan alleged that the protests in Kaduna were hijacked by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

The Youth Forum, while not identifying as IMN, believes that the police officer was referring to followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. They have vehemently denied any involvement in the protests, labelling Mr Hassan's claims as false and defamatory.

“Although we are not IMN, based on experience, we suspected that the police officer was mischievously referring to followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. If that was what he meant by IMN, which we are not, then we say Mansur Hassan is a pathological liar who should be ashamed of his mendacity,” the statement said.

The statement from the Youth Forum, signed by Abduazeez Muhammad on Friday, August 2, 2024, emphasizes the peaceful nature of Sheikh Zakzaky’s followers, highlighting their history of nonviolent demonstrations and religious processions.

The statement further added, “It is an undeniable fact that the followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Ya'aqub Zakzaky are peace-loving people in all our words and conduct. If we had no reason to burn down Kaduna State Government House even at the pinnacle of Buhari and El-Rufai's atrocities, why now? After all, followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky have never protested due to socioeconomic situations in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, we are not fond of protests but processions or demonstrations to mark certain religious occasions.”

The Forum accused Mr. Mansur Hassan of engaging in a smear campaign and recalled an incident in March 2024, during which he allegedly led the killing of four followers of Sheikh Zakzaky during a peaceful Quds Day procession in Kaduna.

“It should be recalled that the same Mansur Hassan, who led the killing of four Muslim brothers and followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Ya'aqub Zakzaky in a peaceful Annual Quds Day procession in the month of Ramadhan this year (March 2024) in Kaduna, deliberately blackmailed the followers of the Sheikh with violence and attempted to raze down Kaduna State Government House. This is not only misleading but also a deliberate effort to hide their heinous crimes against humanity and innocent taxpayers. It has become known to the public that whenever there is a protest, police always recruit their officers in mufti to cause chaos and later blame the protesters. This has been their conduct,” the statement said.

The response further criticized the police for attempting to cover up their actions and crimes against peaceful citizens. They reiterated that the followers of Sheikh Zakzaky have consistently sought justice through legal means, despite facing significant state-sponsored violence.

Part of the statement said, “Even our enemies must testify to the fact that violence is not in the culture of the followers of Sheikh Zakzaky, even in the face of state terrorism attacks on us by security. The two-term tenure of Buhari and El-Rufai led to the killing of over a thousand innocent followers of the revered Sheikh. If violence was our tradition, we would not have sought justice in the courts of the land. This unsubstantiated claim by Mansur Hassan is created to achieve a sinister plan by the enemies of peace.”

The Youth Forum concluded their statement by categorically denying and distancing themselves from the accusations.

“We, therefore, wish to categorically deny, reject, and distance ourselves from the accusations labelled by the PRO, Mansur Hassan, against us. This decision is taken in the best interest of peace and justice.”