GOVERNMENT OUTLAWED CRIMINALITY OF IMN, NOT FREEDOM OF WORSHIP -- PRESIDENCY

Presidency says proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion, instead it was to discourage wanton violence, murder and willful destruction of public and private property.

The Presidency explains that contrary to the claim by IMN that it had been banned from practicing its religion, President Buhari's administration has not banned Shiites from observing their five daily prayers and going to Mecca to perform the Holy pilgrimage.

Their position is blatantly false and deceptive.

The IMN is deliberately changing the narrative in order to gain sympathy and divert the attention of the world from its terrorist activities, including attacking soldiers, killing policemen and a youth corps member, destroying government ambulances and public property, consistently defying authority of the state.

The Presidency notes that the banned organization was taken over by extremists who didn't believe in peaceful protests and instead employed violence and arson, driving fear and undermining the rights of others and constituted authority.

The Presidency agrees that the constitution protects freedom of worship, but not to the detriment of the society, especially where such freedom harms others, and breaks law and order.

The Presidency insists that such criminal behavior and disregard for rights of others and human life will not be tolerated by any responsible government, explaining that everywhere in the world protesters operate within legal boundaries and conduct themselves peacefully without molesting others, or engaging in murder and killing of security personnel or destroying public and private property.

The Presidency regrets that despite all efforts by the government and other well-meaning Nigerians to make the IMN militants to see reason and abandon violence, such appeals fell on deaf ears as they killed, maimed and destroyed willfully, constituting daily nuisance to workers, commuters and other innocent citizens.

Having defied appeals to operate peacefully, and given their seeming determination to destabilize the country, the government had to act before the situation goes out of control, after admonishing many times over that people should not use religion to perpetuate lawlessness.

"We are fighting lawlessness and criminality and not pursuing a policy of discrimination against any group,” the Presidency stressed. “You cannot be in court while at the same time engaging in violent protests, molesting people and inflicting pains on others, which includes taking innocent lives.''

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 28, 2019


Lalasticlala

All join.

This was the obvious defense they would take. Does it make sense to conflate IMN with Shia islam? A similar example is its legal to be secessionist but not an IPOB. IMN can always challenge it it court but Im not aware of them challenging their proscription in Kaduna successfully.

IMN are Shiites.
Shites but not every Shiite is IMN.

What's the difference?

Nobody would ban any religion in Nigeria

It is obvious from comments above that some people are seriously praying for problem to erupt in this country. How on earth would any reasonable peace loving person support the activities of this group? Am a Muslim but will never support fanaticism. You guys want the government to treat these guys with kid gloves right? Just like the government treated Boko Haram but the became what they are today. The thing I have come to realize is that, most of those supporting these people are igbos(ipob) who pray and hope the issue would escalate and destroy the north so they can have their biafra. You guys will continue to fail just like will continue to fail in your quest to lead this country. Have NEVER seen such terrible, hateful people before

MyMouth:
It is obvious from comments above that some people are seriously praying for problem to erupt in this country. How on earth would any reasonable peace loving person support the activities of this group? Am a Muslim but will never support fanaticism. You guys want the government to treat these guys with kid gloves right? Just like the government treated Boko Haram but the became what they are today. The thing I have come to realize is that, most of those supporting these people are igbos(ipob) who pray and hope the issue would escalate and destroy the north so they can have their biafra. You guys will continue to fail just like will continue to fail in your quest to lead this country. Have NEVER seen such terrible, hateful people before

U are a sunni muslim ...so i expect u to be biased
Sunni are the problems with this world

could this be true

[s]

MyMouth:
It is obvious from comments above that some people are seriously praying for problem to erupt in this country. How on earth would any reasonable peace loving person support the activities of this group? Am a Muslim but will never support fanaticism. You guys want the government to treat these guys with kid gloves right? Just like the government treated Boko Haram but the became what they are today. The thing I have come to realize is that, most of those supporting these people are igbos(ipob) who pray and hope the issue would escalate and destroy the north so they can have their biafra. You guys will continue to fail just like will continue to fail in your quest to lead this country. Have NEVER seen such terrible, hateful people before

[/s]
Unity Beggar

Any difference?

Hak hak hak

Awon bastard

Someone needs to send a condolence letter to Yusuf or Aisha so that they can see how people feel. Not every death is by God. Buhari hasn't shown us any sign of a good leader at all.

Okay. Wetin concern me. Jesus saves. Shikena

Ok. Ooooo

And why has miyetti Allah not been banned?

What is the difference?

FG supporters should gather here

IMN are Shiites and Shiites are IMN, they are one and the same.


Say no to religious intolerance by Sunnis.

Confused ppl, the fear of Iran

confused FG. that will not stop the protest. the
protest is also a religious one

Confused government! All we want is to obey court rule

Ban this , ban that. is that the solution?

Okay

The Presidency should release Elzakzaky but his activities should not be allowed in Zaria. My experience with them in Gaskiya Zaria in 2011 is still very fresh.
They should go to the Southeast, the Igbos love them.

MyMouth:
It is obvious from comments above that some people are seriously praying for problem to erupt in this country. How on earth would any reasonable peace loving person support the activities of this group? Am a Muslim but will never support fanaticism. You guys want the government to treat these guys with kid gloves right? Just like the government treated Boko Haram but the became what they are today. The thing I have come to realize is that, most of those supporting these people are igbos(ipob) who pray and hope the issue would escalate and destroy the north so they can have their biafra. You guys will continue to fail just like will continue to fail in your quest to lead this country. Have NEVER seen such terrible, hateful people before

you are not a Muslim but belong to the sunni sects. Sunni are the birthplace of all terrorist in this world