The Federal Government hurriedly labelled the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, popularly referred to as Shi’ite, as a terrorist group in order to cover the human rights abuses the group has suffered in recent time.
The claim was made by the Shi’ite group on Sunday while reacting to the Federal High Court, Abuja, order declaring it as a terrorist group and proscribing it.
The order was issued on Friday following an application to that effect by the Federal Government.
In a statement issued by the President, Media Forum of Shi’ite, Ibrahim Musa, the group said it would not take any rash decision in spite of provocations by the government.
It added that it would also reject any terror attack that the government might allegedly be planning in the name of the group.
Said Musa: “This order, we believe, was hastily obtained to sweep under the carpet the glaring human rights abuses suffered by the Islamic Movement at the hands of Buhari’s administration since the Zaria genocide of December, 2015. We reject any false flag terror attacks that the authorities would be plotting in our name, and by this assure the general public that we have never contemplated the use of terror tactics in our ways. This is not about to change.”
Also, the group said its lawyers had been contacted over the proscription order and would respond in due course.
The statement reads: “The Islamic Movement has learnt of the fallacious court order for its proscription by a high court in Abuja, that it is a terrorist group.
“We are in consultations with our lawyers, and we would, as a peaceful people who have been victims of Buhari government-sponsored terror attacks throughout his first term and continuing, give an appropriate response.
“We want to assure the general public and the international community that we will not be pushed into taking any rash decision no matter the provocation.
“This order, we believe, was hastily obtained to sweep under the carpet the glaring human rights abuses suffered by the Islamic Movement at the hands of Buhari’s administration since the Zaria genocide of December, 2015. We reject any false flag terror attacks that the authorities would be plotting in our name, and by this assure the general public that we have never contemplated the use of terror tactics in our ways. This is not about to change.
“It is all part of the blinding official stereotypes against the Islamic Movement. We would however not relent in calling for the immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, using all lawful and peaceful means as we have done all this while. We will not be distracted by this huge joke.”
