The last Sunday clash between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shi’ite and the police in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has raised fresh security concerns.
A major clash between Shi’ite and security agents was first recorded on Saturday 12 December 2015 in the Zaria area of Kaduna State when members of the movement blocked a major road and prevented the convoy of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and other motorists from plying the road.
This resulted in reported deaths, as well as massive arrests, including the group leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Accusing El-Zakzaky and his followers of attempting to assassinate Buratai, a former Army spokesman, Sani Usman, had said: “It is important to note that over the years this group has subjected ordinary citizens using public roads to untold hardship, delays, threats and disruption simply because they insist on using public space irrespective of inconvenience and hardship on other law-abiding citizens and motorists. This cannot be tolerated and must stop.”
Since the 2015 clash with the Nigerian Army, IMN’s processions occasionally witnessed clashes with security agents.
The latest led to the death of two police officers, with several others injured, and police vehicles destroyed in Abuja.
However, there are concerns that the violent disposition exhibited by the Shi’ite group during their processions might spiral into a major security challenge.
Anarchy will be resisted – IGP
Frowning at Shi’ite’s latest attack, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun vowed to resist all sorts of anarchy and unrest in any part of the country, while pledging to continue to maintain law and order.
Egbetokun said the unprovoked killing of police officers in the line of duty was highly outrageous and unacceptable as those who murdered these policemen had murdered peace.
“As investigations unfold, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to uncover the full extent of this attack and prevent future occurrences of such violence against police officers,” he said.
Mass arrest, detention, neglect may snowball into major security issue – Lawyer Idam
Activist lawyer, Madubuachi Idam charged the Nigerian government to summon El-Zakzaky who is the leader of IMN or ensure a “stick and carrot manner” to prevent the incident from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, from reoccurring.
Idam told Newspot that: “The Right to Freedom of Assembly and Association is constitutionally guaranteed and it is legally justiciable.
“Provided, only that those who associate or assemble do that in pursuance of a lawful purpose which must at all-time be peaceful.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Right are in agreement in guaranteeing the exercise of these Rights and the State must not under any guise limit their enjoyment by citizens provided it is peaceful and in pursuance of a legitimate purpose.
“However, where the Association and Assembly is formed to carry out an illegal purpose or where the people have become violent, it will amount to a derogation of these rights and the state is supported by the same Constitution to crackdown on the person in order to maintain peace and order to protect lives and property which is the core objective of every government.
“Whereas the IMN are not isolated from enjoying these rights, they are also not clothed with the power to violate them under the pretence of agitation.
“Where that is the case, the state must act in order to protect the life and properties of defenceless citizens.
“I’m really curious seeing that the state treats some set of violent agitators as darling even when they become threats to lives but come so hard on the others, especially if they are from the Southeast extraction.
“The security of the nation must not be sacrificed on the permutation of voting strength. Whatever is good for Okeke should not be bad for Musa or Bayo.
“If the action of Okeke qualifies him to be termed a terrorist, Musa or Bayo shouldn’t be treated like a Holy Priest when they carry out similar actions. The issue of security must be divorced from politics if we must live in a safe society.
“The government should forthwith engage their leadership to ascertain the reason for their protest and decisively deal with it without further ado.
“There is no point playing mute about their activities. Since they are a religious group, it presupposes that they are headed by an identifiable person.
“The head must be summoned or met with in a stick and carrot manner with a view to ensuring that there is no repeat of the incident that happened on Monday in FCT.
“They must not be ignored or neglected, mass arrest and detention is also to be avoided. Else, the action will be counter-productive, which will snowball into a major security issue.
“The nation is highly fragile at the moment with insecurity and hardship.
“Those in government must be skillful in approaching this issue. The IMN leadership has to be engaged and directed to immediately call their followers to order.
“The issue of security must be divorced from politics if we must live in a safe society.”
No religion serving God engages in violence, killings – Pastor Giwa
The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, faulted the killings and destruction that has occasioned the IMN processions.
Pastor Giwa stressed that no religion serving God would engage in violence and killings.
Speaking with Newspot, the clergyman urged the Nigerian Government to tackle the excesses of the Shi’ite group to prevent the emergence of another Boko Haram.
According to Giwa: “Our God is a God of peace who desires to be at peace with all people and for people to be at peace with one another.
“The Scripture also describes peace as a gift from God and a part of His character. Christ Jesus is a symbol of peace.
“Therefore, no religion claiming to serve the true God will engage in violence and killing.
“If we have a functioning government in Nigeria, they should be able to tackle the group like other Western countries.
“Over the years, Boko Haram still remains an active insurgent group in Nigeria. It’s unfortunate that the government has failed to provide effective leadership for its citizens.”
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