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Police says Shi’ites Tuesday planned protest act of terrorism
BY EMMANUEL OGWU
The Nigeria Police Force says the activities of the Shi’ites group in Nigeria remain banned and any gathering or procession by the group is illegal and tantamount to advancement of terrorism.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement earlier Monday said the planned protest by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) on Tuesday is nothing short of move to disrupt public peace and order in the country.
Consequently, he said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed commissioners of police in the various states and FCT, Abuja, to take measures to stop any planned protest by the IMN anywhere in the country.
The statement reads: “It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) intend to embark on a nationwide procession, ostensibly to cause disruption of public peace, order and security in the Country.
“The Force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019 of 26th July, 2019, the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been proscribed. Consequently, all gathering or procession by the group remains ultimately illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.
“To this end, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M A Adamu, NPM,mni has directed the Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to put in place concrete measures to avert any planned procession and/or disruption of public peace by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, anywhere in the country.
“The IGP also enjoins the public to avail the Force with useful information as regards the activities of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
“In addition, the IGP has also advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to be cajoled into embarking on illegal and ill-motivated activities by anyone or group of persons, under any guise whatsoever.”