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Tag: shiites

  • Security alert in Abuja as proposed protests by Shiites panic residents

    Security alert in Abuja as proposed protests by Shiites panic residents

    The Islamic Movement of

    Nigeria will again today storm the nerve centre of Nigeria as they continue protesting the detention of their leader, El-Zaky Zaky.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that this singular development has sent jitters across the Federal Territory Capital (FCT), the seat of government in Nigeria.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that the protesters in their usual style will congregate close to the three arms zone harbouring the arms of government before spreading out.

    The last time they protested was in July and they were as usual dispersed by security operatives.

    Messages of security alerts this morning have been distributed via various platforms to avoid areas that the Shiite protesters will storm this morning.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Police killed two during processions in Zaria, Kaduna, says Shiites

    Police killed two during processions in Zaria, Kaduna, says Shiites

    Heavily armed policemen on Sunday allegedly opened fire on Shiites members and religious mourners in Zaria and Kaduna soon after completing this year’s Ashura processions, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has said.

    It will be recalled that celebrating Ashura is a religious rite held by Shiites globally on the 10th of Muharram Islamic calendar.

    A statement issued by the spokesman of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa revealed that as a consequence of these unprovoked attacks, two people in Kaduna lost their lives while many others were injured in both Kaduna and Zaria.

    The statement reads in part: “Ashura processions were held today in major towns and cities across Nigeria including some southern states without any incident.

    “Only in Zaria and Kaduna were brutality and violence meted on the peaceful mourners. A number of arrests was also done.

    “The Islamic Movement hereby calls on all well-meaning Nigerians and the International community to call el-Rufai to order to force him to desist from further spill of innocent Shiites’ blood.”

    When contacted on the incident, the police image-maker, ASP Muhammad Jalige said police were deployed to maintain law and order, saying the police command is yet to receive signal from the DPOs.

    Recall, the Kaduna State government had outlawed the activities of the IMN under the guidance of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

  • Police disperse protesting Shi’ites members in Abuja

    Police disperse protesting Shi’ites members in Abuja

    The police on Monday in Abuja dispersed a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shi’ites.

    The protest took place along Aguyi Ironsi Way in Maitama District.

    A statement by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police spokesman DSP Anjuguri Manzah said: “The sect members, who went berserk and attacked the police and other innocent citizens with stones and dangerous weapons, defied a subsisting directive by the FCT minister restricting all protests and procession to Unity Fountain.

    “The sect, while executing the unruly act, damaged the windscreen of a Police Rapid Response Patrol vehicle.”

    Manzah said some members of the sect, arrested during the protest, are under investigation and will soon be arraigned.

  • Shiites speaks on El-Zakzaky’s ‘death’

    Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, have denied rumors that their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is dead.

    In a statement on its official Twitter page, the IMN spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, urged Nigerians to ignore the reports.

    He said: “Contrary to the rumours making the rounds that the illegally detained leader of the Islamic movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky had died, we wish to draw the attention of the public that these stories are fake and should be disregarded.”

    He however stated that El-Zakzaky’s health was deteriorating.

    “Since he was transferred to Kaduna prison, he has not been granted access to his doctors despite his deteriorating ill-health.

    “We, therefore, call on the international community to pile pressure on the Nigerian government to do the needful by allowing his doctors to examine him and eventually release him,” he said.

  • Army/IMN clash: Group asks court to stop IMN Spokesman, Musa, KDGH others from publishing book

    Army/IMN clash: Group asks court to stop IMN Spokesman, Musa, KDGH others from publishing book

    The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, CESJET, has approached the state high court in Kaduna asking for an order to stop the spokesman of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, from publishing a book on the clash between the IMN and the Nigeria Army saying it is capable of jeopardizing the ongoing trial of the IMN leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    Barrister Edward Omaga who spoke with journalists after filing the suit said the centre views the attempt to publish the book as an attempt to prove that Ibrahim El-Zakzakky and his followers are not guilty whereas the State is prosecuting him.

    He said one cannot release a book for public consumption at the same time when issues are before the court of law as allowing same will be subjudice.

    CESJET in an originating summons filed at the State High Court Kaduna, wants the court to determine whether by virtue of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clash between IMN and the Nigeria army and the gazetted white paper emanating from it, whether the IMN was not proscribed and designated as a terrorist group and whether Ibrahim Musa is not by writing a book on the IMN attempting to commit an act of terrorism.

    The centre is also asking the court for an order mandating the commissioner of police in Kaduna State to arrest and prosecute the IMN spokesman for trying to publish the book entitled, ‘ December 2015 Massacre of Shiites in Nigeria. Survivors accounts which it says amounts to trying to dislodge the Nigerian government.

    In the summons taken out by Edward Omaga, the center pointed out that by virtue of the report of the Judicial commission of Inquiry and the white paper the IMN has been proscribed stressing that by trying to launch a book on the IMN, Ibrahim Musa is trying to further the activities of the IMN which the centre described as ‘criminal.’

    CESJET further pointed out that being the spokesman of the IMN is enough to taint the book with falsehood, defamation or blackmail capable of inciting the public against the Nigerian government and jeopardizing the ongoing trial of Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky by the High Court of Kaduna State for offences bordering on treason, terrorism and murder.

    Omaga said the centre’s interest is in seeing that the security of the nation is not threatened under any guise.

    He said it is significant that members of the public are not allowed to engage in activities capable of inciting the public against the government or rubbishing the temple of justice at any point.

  • Justice will catch up with you, IMN attacks Gov. El-Rufai

    The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has issued a stern rebuke of Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the continuous detention of its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife in Kaduna Correctional Centre.

    In a statement on Sunday, the group’s spokesman Ibrahim Musa lambasted El-Rufai over his recent comments justifying Zakzaky’s detention and vowing never to release him.

    Musa said the governor’s statement contained half-truths and pathological lies, “for which he has come to be known”. He also said sooner than later, El-Zakzaky will go free in the full course of justice.

    “Finally, we would like to let El-Rufai and his master that the day of reckoning is very near indeed. Justice will be served and no amount of blackmail and misuse of state power could avert this whirlwind of justice from catching up with them all. On our part, we will intensify our peaceful campaigns until justice is done to the victims of Zaria genocide of December, 2015 and Sheikh Zakzaky and all those still being held regain their freedom”, Musa said.

    Please read his full statement:

    “With increasing pressure on the Buhari regime from home and abroad occasioned by the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague to investigate the crimes against humanity committed by this regime during the Zaria Massacre of 2015, there have been increased efforts at belittling the matter and trivializing the issues. This reached a peak in the last hours when the Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai was rattling half-truths and pathological lies, for which he has come to be known.

    “In this his warped position, he insinuated that so long as he remains Kaduna Governor, Sheikh Zakzaky would remain in detention. According to the governor, Sheikh Zakzaky is being tried for crimes he and his followers committed in the last 30 years in Zaria.

    “On the contrary, after the criminal invasion of the Sheikh’s residence in December of 2015 and the subsequent killing of hundreds of his supporters including his sons and relatives by Officers and men of the Nigerian Army, the Sheikh and his wife were shot at and arrested. The Sheikh and his supporters were the victims of state terror and crimes and not the perpetrators. The Department of State Security (DSS) illegally detained them without charges until May 2018, when the pressure on the government to release them became so intense and unbearable. It was at that point that the government thought of charging them of inciting his followers to commit alleged offences.

    “Prior to that, the government had struggled to give any sensible explanation for their continued detention. They had even clearly stated that the Sheikh was being kept in “protective custody” for his own safety and not because he had committed any crime. They also declared that the wife was not in detention but “merely keeping her husband company” and that she was free to walk out anytime she so wishes. So what crimes is El-Rufai referring to?

    Meanwhile before all these, on December 2, 2016, the Federal High Court presided over by the Honourable Justice G. O. Kolawole (now of the Court of Appeal) declared illegal and unconstitutional their arrest and detention. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry had indicted Nigerian army for the extrajudicial murder of 347 of their supporters during the raid on their residence and burying them secretly in mass grave and ordered that the officers and men involved be tried. The government has since demonstrated a stubborn unwillingness to prosecute those indicted. On the other hand, they arrested hundreds of members of the Sheikh Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement and put them on trial for allegedly being responsible for the death of one of the soldiers, who was accidentally shot by his colleagues. The Kaduna High Court has cleared all of them of these framed up charges and subsequently discharged and acquitted them all. So again, what crimes is El-Rufai referring to?

    “Governor El Rufai’s fraudulent claims that only court can free Sheikh Zakzaky pales in the face of the obvious. Firstly, the fabricated charges of inciting, aiding and abetting brought against him (as a ploy to perpetually keep him in detention) have been squashed in the High and Appeal courts. Secondly, the Federal High court had declared his detention as unconstitutional and therefore ordered his release. The government has remained in contempt of that order. Thirdly, even when the Kaduna high court granted the Sheikh medical leave, El-Rufai never conceded. He took measures to thwart the medical bail, putting stringent terms and conditions independent of the courts. Clearly, El-Rufai, like the master he is working for, General Buhari, has no respect for the rule of law.

    “Finally, we would like to let El-Rufai and his master that the day of reckoning is very near indeed. Justice will be served and no amount of blackmail and misuse of state power could avert this whirlwind of justice from catching up with them all. On our part, we will intensify our peaceful campaigns until justice is done to the victims of Zaria genocide of December, 2015 and Sheikh Zakzaky and all those still being held regain their freedom.

  • Fear as Anti-Trump protests spread, Shiites burn US flags in Abuja

    Fear as Anti-Trump protests spread, Shiites burn US flags in Abuja

    Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’tes on Monday protested the United States killing of Qasem Soleimani.

    They marched in a procession through Banex, Wuse Area to Burger roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

    The members also demanded the unconditional release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, who are detained by security agents in Kaduna State.

    The angry protesters burnt a flag of the United States of America and carried placards condemning the killing of the top Iranian general.

    Media Forum Islamic Movement in Nigeria condemned Soleimani’s killing.

    The statement by its President Ibrahim Musa said: “The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has received the very sad news of the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Soleimani and the Iraqi Commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in US airstrike at Baghdad international airport today. We strongly condemn this provocative airstrike ordered by President Trump.

    “The US killing of Soleimani is a “declaration of war” on Iran, which has now dangerously made the world on the edge of a very destructive war. For quite some time now, President Trump has been looking for ways to drag the Iranian nation into a senseless war.

    “Indeed Hajj Soleimani will forever be remembered because he led the destruction of the murderous ISIS terrorism that the genocidal US regime created, trained, armed and sustained. He was an enigmatic General who led from the frontlines, and was an active supporter of the Palestinian freedom cause. He was an ardent anti-imperialist who gave the United States of America and their stooges in the region sleepless nights both in terms of ideas, and more importantly at the battle fronts that they prompted.

    “The Islamic Movement sends condolences to both the leaders and peoples of Iran and Iraq for these colossal loses, and shares their grief at this trying moment. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Imam of our time Imam Mahdi (ATFS), the supreme leader Imam Khamenei and Ayatollah Sayyed Sistani for the Martyrdom of Hajj Qasim Soleimani and Hajj Abu Mahdi AlMohandis and all the Martyrs. Inna Lillah Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon”.

    The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), condemned the protest by IMN.

    The Head of Media and Communication, NSCIA, Aselemi Ibrahim, said: “Although, protests are an integral part of all civil democracies in the world, Council believes the timing is wrong as this could lead to loss of lives.

    “The attention of the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA, has been drawn to a planned solidarity “peaceful” protest by some Muslim youth in the Nigeria over the murder of a top Iranian commander, Gen. Sulaimani Qasim, in Bagdad by the United States of America.

    “We appeal to these Muslim youth not to allow their emotions becloud them to the dangers of taking to the streets. We believe that the impasse between Iran and America can only be resolved through dialogue at the level of bilateral or multi-lateral diplomacy.

    “We appeal to the law enforcement agency to be alive to their responsibility of protecting lives and property”.

  • El-Zakzaky fate not hanging on El-Rufai, Shiites fires back at FG

    El-Zakzaky fate not hanging on El-Rufai, Shiites fires back at FG

    Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has faulted the Federal Government’s claim that the fate of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, lies in the hands of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The proscribed IMN, also known as Shi’ites, said the attack, arrest and detention of El-Zakzaky were masterminded by Federal Government agencies in the past four years.

    It insisted that the Federal Government cannot deny its complicity in their laeder’s ordeal.

    In a statement yesterday by its Media Forum President, Ibrahim Musa, IMN said the Federal Government’s ‘complicity’ in the Zaria clash between its members and soldiers in December 2015 led to what it called extra-judicial murder of its members and the arrest and detention of its leader.

    It said: “We wish to categorically repudiate the audacious insinuations by AGF Malami that the fate of El-Zakzaky and his wife lies in the hands of the Kaduna State government and its governor, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai. We are not deceived by any denial of complicity of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    “Firstly, the Federal Government’s complicity in the heinous genocide in Zaria of December 2015, that led to the extrajudicial murder of over 1,000 members of IMN and the subsequent arrest and detention of the Sheikh is beyond doubt.

    “This much was accepted and testified to by the General himself (President Buhari) in an interview he granted a Qatari Television Channel while on a visit there as early as March 2016. The Saudi Crown Prince’s self-confessions during a visit to the United States (U.S), that the brutal and inhuman suppression and the continuing illegal detention of Sheikh El-Zakzaky was part of his major foreign policy achievements, further confirms the Federal Government’s involvement, as foreign policy issues are in the exclusive list of the Federal Government.

    “Was that not why the Saudi King was the first to call General Buhari in December 2015, soon after the Zaria genocide, to congratulate him for what he called a victory against terrorism? Was that not also why General Buhari wanted to smuggle Nigeria into a Saudi-led military alliance at the time in the name of fighting terrorism? Was not the then Nigerian Defence Minister, Mansur Dan Ali, accorded honour by the Saudi authorities on behalf of the Federal Government for the role the Nigerian military, an agent of the Federal Government, played?

    “Secondly, the attacks, arrest and subsequent detention of Sheikh El-Zakzaky were by Federal Government agencies. For the past four years, the Department of State Services (DSS) took custody of the Sheikh and his wife from the Army. Nobody is granted access to see him except with the express permission of these federal agents. It even had to take the involvement of the AGF for anyone, even the Kaduna State-established Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the time, to access Sheikh El-Zakzaky.

    “Furthermore, when the Federal High Court declared the detention of the Sheikh and his spouse illegal and unconstitutional and ordered their immediate release from custody forthwith, the order was against the DSS, Nigeria Police Force and the AGF, all representing the Federal Government.

    “The Kaduna State government was never a party in any of these matters. Who is the AGF now fooling that it is purely Kaduna State affair?”

  • Police, Shiites clash in Sokoto

    The police and members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiites clashed on Friday evening at the old airport area of Sokoto.

    Residents and passers- by had to scamper for safety as motorists and those on foot deserted the area for fear of being hurt.

    There was however noo casualty and confirmation of arrest.

    It was learnt that the sect members, including males, females and children, embarked on a procession rally shortly after Juma’at prayer chanting ” Free El-Zakzakky”.

    The procession took them from Mabera Area through to ‘Masallaci Na Uku ‘ along old airport where the clash occurred before it was brought under control by the police who dispersed them.

    However, confirming the incident that took some time to quell, the Sokoto command PPRO, ASP Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq, said preliminary investigation revealed that a group suspected to be members of the proscribed Shi’ites mobilised themselves along old airport road without intent of carrying out a procession.

    According to Sadiq: “Upon confirmation of intention by security operatives, the gathering was immediately dispersed using minimal force, while the said suspected members got busy pelting stones on operatives and operational vehicles with intent to escalate the situation,” he explained.

    However, the command image maker said the police had brought the situation under control shortly after the situation came to fore by Joint Operatives.

    He added: “The Sokoto state Police Command calls for calm as normalcy has since been restored and urge members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without any fear as the Command has emplaced adequate security arrangements to forestall any reoccurrence of such as the Command wishes all and sundry a crime free season”.

    (more…)

  • Shi’ites react as court orders DSS to transfer El-Zakzaky, wife to Kaduna

    Shi’ites react as court orders DSS to transfer El-Zakzaky, wife to Kaduna

    A Kaduna High Court on Thursday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to transfer the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also called the Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kaduna.

    This is to allow his lawyers and doctors have easy access to them.

    But members of the movement opposed the transfer on the ground that it was a ploy to humiliate their leader and subject him to hardship.

    The court order was delivered by Justice Gideon Kurada following the application by Haruna Magashi, counsel to the IMN leader, at the resumed hearing of the case in Kaduna.

    The order came eight months after the last hearing of the case in April, 2019, when El-Zakzaky and Zeenat went for an unsuccessful medical attention in India.

    The duo were arraigned for alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among other charges, in another court.

    They have been in custody of the DSS since 2015.

    Justice Kurada, on April 25, 2019, adjourned the trial of the IMN leader indefinitely to enable him (judge) serve on the panel of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe State.

    At yesterday’s resumed hearing of the case, Magashi, who stood in for the lead counsel to the IMN leader and his wife, Femi Falana (SAN), applied for his clients’ transfer to the Kaduna Prisons, now called Correctional Centre.

    The lawyer addressed reporters after the case was adjourned till February 6, 2020, for hearing.

    He said the team of counsel to the IMN leader had always had difficulties whenever they wanted to see him at the DSS detention facility.

    Magashi said the counsel and medical doctors would have easy access to El-Zakzaky and his wife if transferred to the correctional facility in Kaduna and that it would speed up the trial of his clients.

    When the prosecution team, led by Dari Bayero, appeared in court to continue with the trial of the IMN leader and his wife, they were surprised by the court order.

    Bayero, who is the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, told reporters that his team was ready for the trial, but it was stalled.

    He said the team would appear set for the trial on the adjourned date of February 6, 2020.

    A statement by President of IMN’s Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said: “We view any attempt to take Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife to anywhere other than a hospital that is sufficiently equipped to handle their medical needs as punishing them further.”

    The movement denounced the facilities at Kaduna Correctional Centre, saying: “The Kaduna prison is dilapidated and is without any medical facility. It was in that very prison that some survivors of the ‘Zaria genocide’ of December 2015 died due to lack of medical attention. It can, therefore, never be a substitute for appropriately furnished medical facility that can take care of their urgent medical needs.

    “The IMN condemns the wicked antics adopted today (yesterday) in court by the Kaduna State government through their prosecuting counsel aimed at humiliating our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, and subjecting him to further hardships.”