FG plots to kill people, implicate Shi’ites – Sect

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria claims it has uncovered a plot by the Federal Government to kill some people during its Ashura procession in Abuja and other cities in the North on Tuesday and finger the sect as the mastermind.

The group, popularly known as  Shi’ites, also said it had information that the police  “will employ extrajudicial approach to assault, arrest or kill whoever participates in the religious event”.

A member of the Academic Forum of the IMN, Abdullahi Musa, who made the allegation in a statement on Monday, called for religious leaders, civil society organisations,  the international community and others to monitor the procession “in order to expose those that are so desperate to cause violence for a pittance”.

Ashura procession is an annual religious ritual carried out by  Shia (Shi’ites) Muslims all over the world.

In another statement on Monday by the President of the Media Forum of the group, Ibrahim Musa, Shi’ites alleged that the FG “is planning to kill innocent security personnel, journalists and some members of the public and put the blame on members of the Islamic Movement just as they did in Abuja in July”.

The statement added, “We therefore call on security personnel, journalists and members of the public to be particularly extra vigilant. The  public, media and the international community should hold the government responsible for the false flag operation should violence break  out during our usual Ashurah commemoration  on  Tuesday.”

Following the July 22 clash between police and Shi’ites in Abuja which led to the death of DCP Umar Usman, a corps member, Precious Owolabi, and about 11 IMN  members,  the  FG proscribed the sect.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, blamed  Shi’ites,  who were protesting against the detention of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, for the incident and subsequently ordered the arrest of their leaders and members across the country.

The IG in a signal to all state Commissioners of Police dated August 30, also directed them to dismantle the structures of the group.

But  Shi’ites said  Ashura procession was one of their religious rights which they would not allow the police to deprive them of.

Abdullahi Musa said, “A reliable piece of information reaching us disclosed that the police are all set to assail the upcoming processional march across the country.

“Preparatory to this, the source also confirmed, police will employ extrajudicial approach to assault, arrest or kill whoever participates in the religious event.”

Meanwhile, the police warned the group against the procession.

Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba,  in a statement on Monday, confirmed the IG had ordered state CPs to stop the procession.

The statement read, “The force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019, the activities of the IMN have been proscribed.

“Consequently, all gatherings or processions by the group remain ultimately illegal and (Tuesday’s procession) will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.”

“The IG has directed the Commissioners of Police in the states and the Federal Capital Territory as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to put in place concrete measures to avert any planned procession or disruption of public peace by the IMN  in the country.

He  advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards “not to be cajoled into embarking on illegal and ill-motivated activities by anyone or group of persons, under any guise whatsoever.”