The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has condemned Wednesday’s attack in some states, on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as the Shiite sect.
In a statement yesterday, director of the centre, Idayat Hassan said the clashes between the sect members, security agents and followers of other Islamic sects is unwarranted to prevent opening another conflict front.
She said among the reported reasons for the attacks was the commemoration of a religious rite called “Ashura”, which involves processional marches.
“Over the years, these processions have been done peacefully in many parts of the country. This year, however, there were concerted attempts by both security agencies and other Islamic groups to stop them. The Order, which came into operation on 7th October, 2016 declares that: “the Society that bears the name, style, guise or nomenclature of the “Islamic Movement in Nigeria”, is hereby declared an Unlawful Society in Kaduna State.” Hassan said.
She said the new law by the Kaduna State Government has been a trigger that unleashed these attacks on members of the Shiite community across the country.
“It appears that there is an attempt to push the Shiites in Nigeria to popular revolt. We have enough insurgencies and violent conflicts in Nigeria and the CDD appeals to authorities and the civil populace to beware of pushing our country to more violent conflicts,” she said.
