Shiites Trek for El-zakzakky: IGP promises maximum security

Following reports that the Shiite sect in Nigeria also know as Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) plans to trek from Kaduna to Abuja to demand the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzakky who have been in detention after a clash with the army last December, the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris has assured that the police will take actions to ensure that there is no breach of security by the members of the sect.

The IGP gave the assurance when a religious inter-faith group, the Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) led a peaceful protest to the Force headquarters to draw the attention of the police to the intention of the Shiite sect.

The IGP who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG), Habila Joshack said the laws of the county respects the religious rights of every citizen, but emphasised that such rights should not be abused.

Joshack who addressed the protesters in front of the Force headquarters said the police will apply the law appropriately, saying the laws of the country has made provision for sanctions.

He said, “I thank you for finding the police an idle institution that you think stand for peace and security of the nation. I also thank you for recognising the huge time and resources that has been invested in search of peace in this country under President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I am also happy that you are part of those who watch your environment and gather information that is translated into intelligence by putting us on the alert that some group of people who are likely to March from Kaduna to the FCT. And that that is likely to impede on the existing security. We are going to provide a lot of robust security. We are going to do lot of analysis of this information that we will turn into intelligence”

Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator of the Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP), Bishop Musa Fomson who led about 1,000 other clerics and members to the Force Headquarters urged the IGP, Mr Ibrahim Idris to immediately act to forestall whatever mayhem IMN member are planning.

He urged Northern Governors’ Forum take steps to arrest the growth of extremism being promoted by the sect.

He said, “Any further agitation that anyone has should now be addressed by institutions of the state especially in view of the fact that the Commission has presented its report to Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. Those that have grievances can therefore approach the court to air them even as we recognize that national interest and security will play crucial roles in what the court and even the military decide.

“We have however seen that the IMN as a sect is bent on fomenting trouble with the controversial trek its members are undertaking from Kaduna to the FCT. The trek was preceded and is being backed with demonstrations in several cities of the northern states. From our point of view this is a dangerous exercise for a group that has never agreed to sign up to mutually respecting the rights of other faiths, sects or denomination. We believe their history with other Nigerians wherever their members gather in large number should have dissuaded them from attempting this Abuja stunt.

“This is why we are today staging this march to draw attention to the provocative activities of this Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which has been prohibited across the 19 northern states. We are telling Nigerians now that there is imminent security risk in the face of the freedom with which the IMN peddles extremism, terrorism and killings in the north without police intervention.

“We demand that the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris immediately act to forestall whatever mayhem IMN member are planning. We also demand that the Northern Governors’ Forum take steps to arrest the growth of extremism being promoted by this sect.”