TheCable

Suleiman Usman, attorney-general of Sokoto state, says the government is ready to lead the campaign for the ban of the activities of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shiites.

He said this at a press briefing that held after a security meeting in the state.

Usman said Sokoto decided on advocating for the ban on activities of Shiite movement because the group is set to hold a regional meeting in the state.

He said states cannot effectively enact laws that will stop the activities of Shiites, adding that there needs to be a law at the national level to stop the Shiites from going on with their planned activities.

“There are reports that activities of some groups, especially the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) that are aimed to strain the security of the state. The state’s security council held an emergency meeting to warn the IMN or any other groups,” he said.

Muhammed Abdulkadir, commissioner of police, said the force received intelligence that the sect will organise a joint African general meeting in Sokoto.

He said the meeting, if allowed to hold, might pose a threat to peace in the state.

Abdulkadir said the police and other security agencies in the state will commence a stop and search operation in the state.