Civil rights group writes AGF, insists on proscription of IMN

The federal government has been asked to proscribe without delay the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites.

A pro-democracy civil society organisation known as Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), which made this call on Monday, said it has been observing with “disenchantment” how the sect has been allegedly breaching peace and making life unbearable for innocent citizens.

The rights group vowed to drag the attorney-general of the federation to court if he fails to take decisive action against IMN.

A letter addressed to the AGF and signed Akan Augustine, director of research and evaluation, of the group said from the “wealth of oral and documentary evidences made available to the judicial commission of inquiry set up to look into the clash that occurred between IMN and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state in 2015 showed that the sect is a violent organization.

“We should try to export our revolution to the (Muslim) world. We should set aside the thought that we do not export our revolution, because Islam does not regard various Islamic countries differently and is the supporter of all the oppressed people of the world. On the other hand, all the superpowers and the great powers have risen to destroy us. If we remain in an enclosed environment we shall definitely face defeat. When we say we want to export our revolution, we do not want to do it with swords,” the group said.

“It is on record that the leadership of IMN and thousands of its followers have been jailed a number of times, but they remain adamant about converting Nigeria to an Islamic State at all cost. Unless and until the government develops the courage to tackle the excesses of El-Zakzaky and the confrontational, un-cordial, dramatic and deadly IMN at once, the much anticipated peace in Northern-Nigeria as a whole will remain a mirage.

“The contribution of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to the anti-terror efforts to make Nigeria safe again is quite commendable and must be sustained no matter whose ox is gored.

“We therefore give the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice 72 (Seventy Two) hours ultimatum from the date hereof to activate the necessary statutory procedures with a view to proscribing IMN for setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism. In the event that this ultimatum expires without any positive actions taken, we shall not hesitate to drag the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice being the Chief Law Officer of Nigeria to a court of competent jurisdiction in order to compel him to do the needful in the interest of peace, national security and safety of innocent citizens who now live in fear of IMN.”