Shiites To Sue Kaduna Government Over Ban

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) will seek legal action against the Kaduna State Government for what it described as ‘infringement’ on its fundamental rights.

That’s according to the spokesperson of the movement, Ibraheem Musa, who told newsmen in Kaduna that the ban announced by the government was illegal.

The Kaduna State government had on Friday banned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, calling it a security threat.

The group was involved in a two-day violence, which began on December 12 2015, when supporters of the pro-Iranian cleric and IMN head, Ibrahim Zakzaky, refused to allow the chief of army staff’s convoy to pass through the northern city of Zaria in Kaduna state.

In April, rights group Amnesty International accused Nigeria’s military of shooting dead more than 300 Shiite Muslims, burying them in mass graves and destroying evidence of the crime.

The Kaduna state government did confirm the Amnesty report, saying that the army used “excessive force” and that those responsible for the killings should be prosecuted.

It’s on that basis that the ban may have come as a surprise to the group.

“It’s an infringement on our basic right as citizens of the country.

“We are not going to be intimidated into taking any violence or unlawful activity but will take legal action against the Kaduna State Government for the infringement.“

The government in a statement said that it took the decision to preserve peace and security in the state.

“The action is also taken to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its Constitution.”