IMN suspends free Zakzaky protests after proscription
Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shittes, has announced the suspension of their regular street protest to call for the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, from detention after the Federal Government banned the group’s activities.
This is coming five days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the proscription of the IMN, following their clashes with security operatives.
The group in a statement by its President on Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said that said the movement suspended the protests in good faith and out of respect for eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine.
While expressing hope that the matter surrounding the detention of El-Zakzaky would be resolved amicably, the group explained that the suspension of its street protests was to “allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order made by the Federal Government this week.”
According to the statement which was made available to journalists on Wednesday, “It has taken this step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine and we sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now.”
“If at all any protests occur anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image and be seen as unruly people rather than as victims of savage oppression since 2015.”
“The Islamic Movement wishes to thank both national and international civil rights activists and organisations who have been busy demanding the protection of our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.”
“We also thank the press, both national and international, and the social media activists for the full coverage of our activities throughout the struggle for justice.”
“We are committed to exploring the new openings we have seen in resolving this protracted issue. We, therefore, reiterate our demand that our leader, his wife, and several others in detention be given their freedom denied to them since 2015.”
The Daily Times recalls that Justice Nkeonye Maha-led court designated the activities of IMN organisation in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”
Also, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu re-affirmed IMN’s proscription just yesterday saying, the group will henceforth be treated as terrorists.
