The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN)

  • Falana, George, laud presidential panel on armed forces

    Falana, George, laud presidential panel on armed forces

    Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Prof. Akinseye George (SAN) on Thursday applauded the Presidential Investigation Panel on Armed Forces in Nigeria.

    The panel was set up to review compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.

    The Senior Advocates of Nigeria made their commendations on the sideline of the panel’s winding up of its hearing in Abuja.

    Mr Fanala (SAN) is the counsel to detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ), El-Zakzaky, while Prof. George (SAN) is the counsel to the Nigerian Army.

    Falana, however, said that with the way the panel had conducted its proceedings he was confident that the outcome would be pleasing to all parties.

    According to him, I know the panel is made up of people of proven integrity and I know that based on the evidence before them, they will write reports and make appropriate recommendations in the interest of our country.

    George also said that the panel had done a great job, adding that the establishment of the panel by the Federal Government was laudable.

    “We pray and hope that the report of this panel will not go down the drain, the whole world is waiting for the outcome of this panel.

    “Everybody has been saying investigate and now the Federal Government has taken the bull by the horn, government has done the right thing by setting up this investigation.

    “It is hoped that the reports of the panel will not end on a shelve, and that the report will be implemented by the government so as to show the good work that the military is doing and area of improvement.

    Meanwhile, Prof George said that the panel had helped to show that the Nigeria military personnel were well trained, adding that they had done a great job to preserve and defence the country from being overrun by terrorists.

    According to him, the efforts of the Nigeria army in various operations are like surgical operations; when a patient goes for surgical operation, certainly there must be pain.

    He added that the purpose was not to kill the patient but to preserve the life of the patient, adding that this is the sense in which we must understand the operation of the Nigeria military in situations of conflict.

    “The military has done a great service for the country by preventing and minimising the impact of such negative tendencies.

    According to him, there are no systematic violations of human right or pattern of violation of human rights by the military; it has not been established to the best of my knowledge.

    NAN

  • El-Zakzaky: Falana withdraws petition against Nigerian Army

    El-Zakzaky: Falana withdraws petition against Nigerian Army

    Mr Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ) on Wednesday withdrew the petition against the Nigerian Army at the Presidential Investigation Panel on Human Right Violations.

    Falana said although it was painful, he had to withdrew the petition in view of the fact that there was already a judicial commission of inquiry, currently handling the case.

    He, however, said that the panel could on its own, decide to listen to any witness in the case, and urged the panel to keep the petition in view

    Falana also urged the panel to issue an order directing the Federal Government to comply with the ruling of the Federal High Court that ordered for the release of El-Zakzaky from detention.

    He berated the Federal Government for not obeying the ruling of the Federal High Court on El-Zakzaky, adding that since Nigeria’s independence, he had never seen a couple detain together.

    He said that the couple should be released based on the premise that the country was operating the rule of law, adding that it was painful he could not put the petition through.

    “We are already taking other steps to ensure that El-Zakzaky is released, because this is the first time in the history of this country that a couple will be detained,” he said.

    Prof. Akinseye George, (SAN), counsel to the Nigerian Army said that the matter should be expunge from the panel list.

    He said that the panel was magnanimous enough to accommodate the petition by shifting dates and time for the petitioner.

    He said that the panel should disregard the petitioner’s plea that the petition be kept in view, stressing that the petition ended with the withdrawal.

    Justice Biobele George, Chairman of the panel, struck out the petition based on voluntary withdrawal by the petitioner

    The Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement sittings ended on Nov.8.

    The panel had traveled round the six geo-political zones to receive petitions and listen to petitioners’ allegations of  human rights violation by the military.

    NAN

  • Police warns IMN against disrupting public peace in Kaduna

    Police warns IMN against disrupting public peace in Kaduna

    The proscribed sect, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has been warned against any form of procession in the state.

    A statement by the Kaduna State Police Command, given through its spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman also warned members of the group called Civilian JTF, calling them an unlawful organisation.

    It warned that any activity including the disruption of peaceful and free movement of people by the two organisations would not be tolerated.

    “The command, therefore, wishes to reiterate that person (s) found organising or conducting unlawful processions in any part of the state shall be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

    The statement advised the public to go about their lawful businesses, as adequate security measures have been put in place to guarantee their safety.

    It stressed that it would deal decisively with any form of “lawlessness, inciting disturbances, unlawful assembly and any other action capable of breaching the peace of the state”.

    It also cautioned residents to be vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious activity during the ember period.

  • Nigerians in Diaspora Protest Shiite Extremism

    Nigerians in Diaspora Protest Shiite Extremism

    • Call For El- Zakzaky’s Prosecution

    More voices have risen to protest the activities of the Islamic group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), in Nigeria. This is even as Nigerians in Diaspora have expressed their condemnation over the inability of the federal government to clamp the group.

    The group which held a protest in this regard at the United Nations Building and Nigeria House, New York City, on Monday, have also called on the government to speedily prosecute the arrested leader of the group, Mr Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

    The group led by its spokesperson, Cosmas Collins warned that the IMN like Boko Haram may escalate into a full-blown terrorist group if ignored. According to them, if the mistake of also pampering the movement is repeated by not prosecuting members of the Islamic IMN for their acts of violence against the state and against citizens of Nigeria then the nation may be on the verge of nurturing another full blown terrorist organisation.

    Warning further, they said, “The group’s members have mirrored every single crime committed by Boko Haram in its formative years yet nothing significant have been done to put its members on trial for breaching the peace in manners that resulted in the loss of life.

    While condemning the actions of the Movement, the diasporans also called for the prosecution of the movement’s leader,Mr. Zakzaky who has since been in detention as according to them, this silence might act as encouragement for the extremists.

    “It may also not be a mistake, in which case the delay in prosecuting detained IMN leaders could be a silent plea for international backing by the Nigerian government. It is important the world is able to reassure the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that they have the world’s support for nipping the growing terror of IMN in the bud. A clear message must be sent to the government that the firmness with which it deals with the IMN threat is a matter global interest as any fallout from delay in dealing with the threat posed by the group will affect the whole world”. They warned.

    They claimed further that failure to prosecute these people, including El-Zakyzaky is making other groups think of coming out because it is now believed that it is fashionable to take on the state without consequences.  Therefore encouraged the government to consider bringing charges of subversion against members of the group for inviting Iranian intervention in Nigeria’s internal affairs, adding that the government should investigate the finances of the group and its senior members to see if they have been beneficiaries of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism.

  • Group protest terrorism at Iranian embassy

    Group protest terrorism at Iranian embassy

    • Demands El-Zakzaky’s prosecution.

    Members of the Sovereign Right Coalition (SRC) have staged a protest at the Iranian Embassy, demanding the removal of the Iranian embassy and prosecution of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) leader, El- Zakzakky.

    The protesters gathered at the Alexandra junction and march to the main gate of the embassy in Ikoyi, Lagos. They bore placards and banners with the inscriptions: We hate terrorism and cannot afford to breed a new one in this country again; Stop Iran from sponsoring terrorism in our country; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of justice prosecute Zakzakky now.

    The coordinator of the group, Comrade Aaron Aaron said today marks another epoch in the existence and survival of our dear nation Nigeria as it grapples to stay alive from the forces of terror and their allies who have held our nation hostage for over a decade.It is a special day in the lives of all patriotic Nigerians as we have gathered here today to register our rejection of imperialism and terror from religious extremists and their sponsors.

    “It is a special day in the lives of all patriotic Nigerians as we have gathered here today to register our rejection of imperialism and terror from religious extremists and their sponsors. The happenings in the North-Eastern part of the country are familiar to all who live in or are interested in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that there has in the last decade, been a sprouting of religious fanatic groups which have unsuccessfully attempted to foist their beliefs on innocent Nigerians using terror as their tool of evangelism.

    ”The happenings in the North-Eastern part of the country are familiar to all who live in or are interested in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that there has in the last decade, been a sprouting of religious fanatic groups which have unsuccessfully attempted to foist their beliefs on innocent Nigerians using terror as their tool of evangelism.

    “Today the gallant Nigerian Army has gotten the upper hand in this fight and most of these groups have been brought in check. However, it is our belief that even the little cells of terrorist groups be checkmated.

    “It is also not news that the group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) led by its leader Mr. Ibraheem El Zakzakky had attempted an assault on the Chief of Army Staff and his motorcade in Kaduna where in the course of the operation, he was arrested and a cache of arms was recovered.’

    ‘Speaking further, he said ”Unfortunately, even after this blatant display of disregard for the nation’s security, these terrorists have continued to display obtuse discount for the nation’s sovereignty in their treasonable attempts to occupy parts of the nation in a bid to form their own republic,” Aron said.

    “It is on this belief, that we are here today to establish our reproach for the postponed trial of Mr. Ibraheem El Zakzaky who is the leader of this notorious sect which has and is still reigning terror on masses in Northern Nigeria.We are also concerned with the unceremonious relocation of the Embassy of the Republic of Syria to Lagos, a move we have suspected to be aimed at moving base of operations of the terrorist group to the Southern Nigeria after ravaging the North.

    “We are also concerned with the unceremonious relocation of the Embassy of the Republic of Syria to Lagos, a move we have suspected to be aimed at moving the base of operations of the terrorist group to the Southern Nigeria after ravaging the North.Our concern is based on the trail of violent acts that have trailed the Iranians who have been known sponsors of terror and particular IMN. We have refused to sit and fold our arms while these harbingers of terror sneak in seeds of discord amongst our religious tolerant Southerners where all religions wine and dine under the same roof.”

    “Our concern is based on the trail of violent acts that have trailed the Iranians who have been known sponsors of terror and particular IMN. We have refused to sit and fold our arms while these harbingers of terror sneak in seeds of discord amongst our religious tolerant Southerners where all religions wine and dine under the same roof.”

    one of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity said: ‘As a group, we have severally observed with awe, acts by persons supported by foreign nations including the Republic of Iran aimed at disparaging the honour of Nigeria as a nation.

    “It is judging from the above parameters that we state as follows:

    • That the Republic of Iran is not an ally of Nigeria but a detractor and its presence on Nigerian soil is an affront to Nigerian sovereignty.
    • That the Iranians are major sponsors of terror in Nigeria and particularly the IMN who have not hidden their association with ISIL.That Nigerian security with a matter of urgency swing into investigation of reports of recruitment and funding of terrorist by the Iranians to prevent further acts of terror on Nigerian soil.
    • That Nigerian security with a matter of urgency swing into investigation of reports of recruitment and funding of terrorist by the Iranians to prevent further acts of terror on Nigerian soil.As a matter of immediacy,  IMN be treated and elevated to a first class terror group in the ranks of the famed Boko Haram and given similar attention.
    • As a matter of immediacy,  IMN be treated and elevated to a first class terror group in the ranks of the famed Boko Haram and given similar attention.
    • That we frown at the delayed prosecution of Mr. Ibraheem El Zakzaki, as this delay in prosecution further emboldens the movement in the country.” he maintained.
  • Shiite Clash: Rights Group Faults Amnesty International’s Report

    Shiite Clash: Rights Group Faults Amnesty International’s Report

    A civil society group, Centre for Social Justice. Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has faulted the report of Amnesty International (AI) on the army, Shiite clash, describing it as gross misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to incite sectarian crisis which could snowball into a full blown conflict.

     

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, CESJET executive secretary, Ikpa Isaac condemned the amnesty report, describing it as a despicable attempt to destabilize Nigeria by undermining critical institutions.

     

    He said Nigerians must all unite to demand that Amnesty International’s intrusion in Nigeria’s affairs stop forthwith.

     

    The human rights groups also called for the probe of the Country Director of Amnesty International, Mohammed .K. Ibrahim, the Kano State- born, but Zaria educated erstwhile career diplomat who was an official of the (OIC) Organization of Islamic Conference and a diplomat in Libya to determine if he has affiliations to Islamic fundamentalism.

     

    According to Isaac, the Amnesty International’s report titled, “Unearthing the Truth: Unlawful Killings and Mass Cover-Up in Zaria” is another futile attempt to divert attention from the many atrocities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) which Amnesty International has fruitlessly attempted to defend in the past.

     

    He described the report as a deliberate and concerted effort by Amnesty International to portray Nigeria in bad light, adding that anyone that has been following public discourse on the Zaria incident will see that some lines in the report were taken straight out of the articles that IMN sympathisers had written to hijack the narrative of what the real problem is.

     

    “Despite its criminal intent, one must acknowledge that Amnesty International unwittingly mentioned a fact here. The people holed up with the extremists inside the compound got repeated entreaties from the Army to come out but they refused. This speaks volumes; it depicts the mentality of those who have been brainwashed to the point of hearkening to their manipulators while disregarding state institutions.

     

    “Note that the compound has its own medical facility, which AI played smart to describe as makeshift. Why should an individual have a medical facility and a “mortuary”? What else lies inside that compound: a guards’ station, detention cell, an armoury? The self-contained nature of this compound should raise questions for the discerning mind since this is a sect that has disavowed the Nigerian state and runs a parallel government with cells scattered nationwide.”

     

    He said questioned the roles that Amnesty International played in destabilizing Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and a host of other nations, adding that the group used this same strategy of masquerading as human rights NGO to highlight sectarian, ethnic and other differences that the people were originally unaware of to an extent of sparking crises that consumed these countries.

     

    He said, “it is repeating this tired strategy of pitching Shia against Sunni and people of other faiths without bothering to place the disclaimer that IMN is an aberration that is working for foreign influence to terrorise Nigeria. We do not expect AI to make such disclosure since it fits snuggly into its agenda.

     

    “Amnesty International might have proven itself to be a carrion bird and its officials buzzards and vultures that thrive only when there are deaths but Nigerians must rise up as one to reject these war mongers pretending to be saints.”

     

    “We will not allow Amnesty International to make Nigeria its latest stop for the deaths it successfully plied in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and the former Yugoslavia, where it persistently called for humanitarian intervention that has now been proven to be the code word for invasions.”