CSOs call for immediate proscription of IMN

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

Over 22 bodies, compromising civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which made the appeal on Thursday, said the call became imperative following the recent clashes between security agencies and the group.

The coalition also warned politicians against hijacking the group for selfish reason ahead of the 2019 general election.

A statement jointly signed by the bodies, called on the United Nations and all relevant bodies to warn those behind the IMN.

The groups also declared that failure of the government to act within the next 72 hours will force them to stage a mass protest in Abuja.

Adodo Solomon, convener of the assembly, who spoke on behalf of 22 others, said activities of the IMN must be curtailed before it snowballs into hardened extremism and terrorism beyond Boko Haram.

“On Saturday October 27, 2018 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) clashed with military personnel in Zuba, Gwagwalada area council of the federal capital territory (FCT),” he said in a statement.

“The official statement from the military indicated members of the group had attempted to obstruct a military convoy transporting weapons with a view to snatching the consignment.

“IMN official position was that its members were on a trek to storm Abuja with one million members to demand the release of their leader, Mr. Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky.

“The confrontation with the military continued on Sunday October 28, 2018, along the Kubwa Express Way as the IMN members again attempted to storm the nation’s capital. They attacked security personnel, which in turn necessitated the security personnel to take defensive steps.

“IMN issued a statement afterwards to malign the personnel they had attacked by lying that they overheard a conversation about orders from above for maximum force to be deployed against their members.

“Monday October 29, 2018 was rendered violent by IMN members, who surfaced this time around in the Karu/Nyanyan/Mararaba axis with the same goal of attempting to overwhelm Abuja in their numbers to carry out violent protests under the guise of demanding the release of El-Zakyzaky.

“This act of criminality forced hardworking Nigerians to trek long distances to get to their homes while children in the affected vicinity have been traumatized by the ringing of gunshots.

“On Tuesday October 30, 2018, IMN members breached the streets housing strategic government institutions and obstructed the free flow of traffic. This was done ostensibly to trigger a faceoff with security agencies but they were disappointed as their mischief is well known. In their determination to provoke security agencies, the IMN members set ablaze a police vehicle in Wuse 2 where they openly attacked security agents and other citizens randomly.

“Previous demonstrations or protests by IMN members were equally violent. There are enough video clips and pictures on the internet of these people attacking security and military personnel. As is the case now, some of these members carry weapons while a large number of them deploy projectiles of various forms that have left several persons hospitalized with life changing injuries.”