TheCable

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as the Shi’ia sect, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police are plotting to exterminate it.

Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the movement, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Musa accused security agencies of attempting to link IMN with Boko Haram, saying the sect’s ideology differs from that of the violent group.

“The inspector-general of police, director-general of DSS and other bigwigs of the security agencies held a meeting wherein they deliberated on the need to crush the IMN once and for all before the month of Ramadan,” the statement read.

“According to them, all efforts carried out to exterminate the movement so far will come to naught if the annual Quds day rally is staged anywhere in Nigeria again.

“In the past few days we have received some intelligence reports dished out by the security agents insinuating that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) is planning a coalition with Boko Haram.

“The intelligence report further indicated that due to the said ‘strategic alliance with Boko Haram, attacks will be carried out on military formations and other government buildings. Ordinarily we wouldn’t have even reacted to this latest ‘intelligence report’ had it not been due to the frequency with which the report is being peddled across the intelligence community, since we have in the past reiterated our stance vis-à-vis terrorism and terrorist groups.

“However, we distance the IMN from any attempt to associate it with violence and other militant activities. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, our revered leader has said it many times without number that:

“Our weapon is positive reasoning, truth and good conduct. Guns are for the reckless and foolhardy ones. We have been conducting our affairs peacefully, calling people to the truth for the last 36 years. So you cannot come overnight and attribute violence to us that we now resort to killing people. This is impossible. We save lives not kill them.”

The group said no level of intimidation would make it back down on its campaign for the release of its leaders.

It also demanded punishment for the military over the December clash involving some soldiers and its members.

This is the teaching of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky for the past almost four decades, and we will not derail from that in the face of many provocations as wished by the Nigerian government and its security agents.

We hereby state categorically that there are no connections or any links whatsoever between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and Boko Haram.

“The IMN will like to reiterate its stance once again; we reject any violence or militant attack on anybody or any place in our name. We are not and will never become, act or relate with any terrorist group,” the statement read.

“We make bold this statement because the history of security agencies the world over is known for false flag operations, Nigeria inclusive; where a violent attack will be carried out somewhere and innocent people will be accused of the crime. Islam is a religion of peace and is not associated with violence; therefore it is illogical to associate killings and violence to true followers of Islam.

“In preparation for the grand onslaught on the IMN some Muslim Clerics have been commissioned to add momentum to their hate campaigns against Shia in all their preaching sessions. This treacherous act has already started in earnest in various mosques across the country.

“One of such Sheikhs on the payroll of the government was even heard saying to those around him, “leave them (Shiites) they will be finished off in the next two weeks.”

“We will like to inform the public that, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is at the receiving end of the evil machinations of the government. By now those who are opposed to any peaceful resolution of Zaria massacre by the military are seen clearly in their true colors.

“Notwithstanding we will keep on pressing for our demands that, punishment be meted out on the military that unjustly and without due process killed innocent Nigerians who are followers of Sheikh Zakzaky from12-14 December, 2015 in Zaria. We still demand that our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky be released unconditionally, since after over four months the authorities have failed to accuse him of committing any crime.”