Why it matters:
A Nigerian citizen, Michael Nnorom Okey, was among hundreds of activists from more than 44 countries who attempted to break the Israeli blockade and deliver medicine and food to children and women in Gaza suffering from starvation and Israeli genocidal bombardments.
Israeli forces launched drone attacks on the flotilla convoy within 70 nautical miles of Gaza, intercepted it, and arrested all the activists. Following international condemnation and pressure, Israel released most of the detainees, but six people, including Nigerian national Michael Okey, remain imprisoned.
The big picture:
Michael Nnorom Okey, who joined the Omar Al-Mukhtar Flotilla sailing alongside the Global Sumud Flotilla, is still being held in Israel along with three Moroccans, one Algerian, and one Spanish activist.
What he's saying:
In an exclusive interview with Iran Press in Bauchi State, Nasir Danladi Abubakar, head of the Resource Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, said:
“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and the entire Nigerian people who value humanity, strongly condemn the brutal atrocities committed by Israel in attacking, intercepting, and detaining hundreds of Sumud Flotilla activists. These acts have been condemned by the international community because they violate international law. Therefore, we call on the global community to urgently ensure the release of the activists. Even though many activists have been freed, six remain in Israeli custody, including Nigerian national Michael Okey. We call on the entire world to pressure the Israeli regime to release them immediately.”
Mr. Abubakar added that diplomacy alone cannot stop Israel’s aggression against Palestinians:
“Israel will not halt its aggression through diplomatic missions, negotiations, or sanctions. The only language the Zionist regime understands is military action. Therefore, I call on the concerned authorities to take military action against Israel instead of endless condemnations and empty talks.”
He also praised Nigerian senators Abdul Ningi and Adamu Alieru, who on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, expressed solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine during a senate plenary session.
Concluding, Mr. Abubakar urged the federal government to act swiftly:
“We call on the concerned authorities, especially the federal government, to do as other countries do for their citizens, stand up and secure the release of Michael Okey, along with all members of the Islamic Movement arrested during Free Palestine processions.”
Go deeper:
Nigerians Stage Protest to Condemn Israeli Attack on Samud Flotilla
Hossein Vaez - ahmad shirzadian
