The Inspector-General of Police has read a riot act to a purported procession by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) saying the group remained proscribed and any procession by the group will be treated like an act of terrorism.
The IGP, in a statement said the planned nationwide protest “is ostensibly aimed at causing disruption of public peace in the country.
The Police Boss also disclosed that he had directed all the Commissioners of Police in the States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to put concrete measures to halt the procession.
“The Force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019 of 26th July, 2019, the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been proscribed. Consequently, all gathering or procession by the group remains ultimately illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism”. IGP said.
The Shiites Members usually take to the streets to call for the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who had been in detention since 2015.
Clashes between security forces and Zakzaky’s backers have claimed many lives with the recent one leading to the death of young journalist, Precious Owolabi and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar.