Tension in Kano as residents demand demolition of Shi’ite shrine

Tension is brewing in Kano between the Shi’ite group and residence of Kofar Waika, as a result of a petition by the residence against the sect demanding that the state government should as a matter of urgency demolish a shrine belonging to the said sect in the area.

According to the residence of Waika, no one in the entire area is an adherent of the sect and that the activities of the sect in the area was becoming a threat to their community. They accused the sect of preaching against constituted authorities, inciting followers to resort to violence, accommodating strangers who were suspected to be carrying unknown items suspected to be dangerous weapons into the shrine, and that there was a very strong indication that the sect was planning rallies that could degenerate into violence in the entire state.

Reacting to the allegations, The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as the Shi’ite group, stated that the allegations were false and unfair, as the said shrine had existed in the area for the past 13 years and that never was there a time any form of criminal activity was recorded in the shrine as there was even a police station nearby the shrine, which makes it impossible for anyone to think of committing any form of crime, as it had never been part of their teachings.

The group further explained that the federal government must not allow rumours circulated by some persons, who wanted to cause a serious sectarian violence in the country to materialise. It said that such allegations levelled against their sect was a clear indication that some persons or group were out to tarnish their image for selfish interests and the government must not allow itself to be used by such persons or group, and always remember that the constitution of the country permitted freedom of worship.