Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, yesterday morning protested on the streets of Kano to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed and mourn the killings of their colleagues in Zaria two weeks ago by soldiers.
Abdulhamid Bello, on behalf of IMN, issued a statement titled: “Mourning while celebrating Maulud Nabiy.”
“We are out to mourn the killings, maimings and wanton destruction of thousands of lives and properties at Baqiyyatullah Husainiyya, Darur Rahma and residence of our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky,” the statement said.
“We want the whole world to know what the hand of tyranny has meted on the followers of Messenger of mercy (SAW) on the eve month of Maulud Nabiy. They maimed, detained and massacred the sons and daughters of Islam under baseless pretences using oppressive and suppressive force ever known in Nigeria.
Also, the Army yesterday warned the Shiites to desist from making “misleading comments”, capable of breaching peace and order.
In a statement, Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, accused the group of peddling false- hood against the military. He told the public to disregard “misinformation” and await the outcome of investigations by the government and some agencies.
“A group of high ranking members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), led by one Dr Abdullahi Danladi, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, misrepresented facts about the incident.
Danladi and like-minded individuals should be warned to desist from telling lies and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading the general public,” he said.
“This attitude will not be tolerated where people abuse their privileged position to mislead the public, create disaffection,” the statement read.
“Nigerians and indeed all well-meaning people are please enjoined to be patient and await the outcome of the various enquiries instituted by various government and non-governmental agencies,” he said. (NAN, The Sun)