We’ll Henceforth Treat Shiites As ‘Terrorists, Enemies Of State’ – FG

The Nigerian Government has announced the official ban of activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, in the country.

The government said Shiites will henceforth be treated as terrorists following the group’s official proscription.

This was according to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who stated this during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adamu said Shiites “will be treated like terrorists and enemies of state” and prosecuted under the Terrorism Act, adding that “all forms of procession or protest by IMN is now illegal and thus banned.”

The development followed a series of clashes between the Islamic group and security operatives in the country.

The IMN had staged violent protests to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has remained in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite a court order for his release.

A recent protest by the Islamic group had led to the death of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, and a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Precious Owolabi,  who was attached to Channels Television.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Government had last week obtained an ex-parte order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to proscribe the Shiites and declare the group as as a terrorist organization.