IMN dares IGP, vows to carryout procession
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on Sunday vowed to resist any attempt by the Nigeria police force to stop the group from executing its annual religious programme, Ashura mourning session.
According to the group, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed had issued a nationwide order to all state police commands, for a clampdown on IMN members.
However, the Shi’ites in a statement issued on Sunday issued by Ibrahim Musa, President, Media Forum of IMN, the group accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of using the first month of the Islamic calendar (Muharram) to persecute Shi’ites in the country.
“This recent order given on the eve of Muharram this year underlines the evil intention of the government to continue this pattern of attacks against Shia Islam and prevent us from conducting all our Muharram religious mourning obligations.”
Ibrahim noted that contrary to the federal government’s claims that IMN’s clamour for the release of its leader Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky constitute security threats, the group pointed out that the real security challenges bedevilling the country include: incessant kidnappings, attacks by bandits and terror attacks in most parts of the North.
“We will never bow and submit to tyranny, oppression and extrajudicial killings,” the group declared.