The federal government has
officially proscribed activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) led
by Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general
of police, announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Accusing IMN of pledging
allegiance to a foreign country, Adamu said anyone who associates with the
group will be treated as “an enemy of state”.
A federal high court in Abuja had
declared the group a terrorist organisation, following an ex parte application
filed by the federal government.
“The activities of the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria led by Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has over time evolved to
constitute a grave threat to national security, law and order, socio-religious
harmony, peace, good governance and the sovereign integrity of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“The members of the IMN have
engaged in extreme radicalism, series of terror-related activities, violence
and other unlawful activities which are inimical to the national security
interest, good governance, and the corporate existence of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria. Some of these nefarious activities include the following:
“Pledging allegiance to foreign
countries from where they are enjoying political, financial and training
support with the aim of advancing their destabilizing intents within Nigeria.
“Unauthorized blocking of public
highways, engagement in illegal road blocks, imposition of illegal curfews and
checkpoints, raids on security assets, prevention of arrest of their members,
invasion of court premises to abort legal proceedings involving IMN members,
refusal to submit to ordinary security checks and attacks on security agents
which led to the death of several Nigerians.
“Setting up of a para-military
guard known as ‘HURRAS’ through which IMN has been terrorizing local residents.
They have also instituted unregistered security outfits and performed
paramilitary ceremonies, hoisting of flags, combat exercises, parades and
inspection by the IMN leader reminiscent of a State authority.”
He said over the years, IMN
manifested its “penchant for launching attacks on Nigerians and the symbols of
state authority.
Adamu cited numerous protests by
the group, including the one which led to the deaths of Usman Umar, a deputy
commissioner of police, and Precious Owolabi, a Channels TV reporter.
“Let me affirm that in relation
to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, in view of their increasing engagement of
terror tactics and other violent and subversive activities which contravene the
Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, as amended, and vide the judicial pronouncement
of the Federal High Court, Abuja on 26th July, 2019, the federal government has
classified them as a terrorist group and has accordingly, proscribed the
El-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria,” he said.
“In consequence, henceforth, any
person engaged or associating, in any manner that could advance the activities
of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria, shall be treated as a terrorist,
enemy of the State, and a subversive element and shall be brought to justice
within the context of the Terrorism Act. The import of this is that all forms
of procession or protest by IMN is now illegal and thus banned.”
However, Adamu made it clear that
the Shiites were free to carry on with their faith.
“For purpose of clarification,
Nigeria is a secular state with constitution provisions guaranteeing the
freedom to practice our faith. This, however, must be exercised in a manner
that will not threaten our national security,” he said.
“Hence, it is to be emphasised
that while all adherents of the Shiite sect in Nigeria remain free to continue
to practice their faith and shall be guaranteed adequate security to so do as
the judicial order does not stop them, the El-Zakzaky-led Shiite Islamic
Movement in Nigeria which does not recognise nor accept the constitution and
government of the federation is the sole organisation that has been classified
as a terrorist organisation and proscribed.”
The IGP also discussed strategies
of the police in checking insecurity, giving update on the number of suspects
arrested across the nation for alleged involvement in criminality.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com