The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has condemned the reaction of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the report of the Amnesty International on alleged extra judicial killing of hundreds of members of the sect.
In a statement by the President of IMN’s Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, the organization decried what it called “false propaganda, blackmail and calumny against IMN and its leadership,” adding that it “cannot justify the unjustifiable killings that took place in Zaria and the denial of our religious rights and freedom under any pretence.”
“Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has been detained since December 2015 after federal troops invaded his residence at night without a valid warrant and mortally shot him, his wife, children and associates, killing over a thousand unarmed innocent citizens in the process. How does that translate to "top national security issue reminiscent of Boko Haram?” Musa said in the statement.
“This loose statement by the Ministry is without any thread of evidence whatsoever. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria and Sheikh Zakzaky has never been involved in any terrorist act. They have never taken up arms against anyone or the Nigerian State. This is evidenced even in the face of extreme provocation and persecution of the last 15 months.
“If the Government had anything specific against the Sheikh, why was he not charged to court? It is noteworthy that no court in Nigeria or anywhere in the world for that matter ever found either IMN or Sheikh Zakzaky associated with terror acts. So where did this spurious allegation of being reminiscent of Boko Haram emanate from?,” the statement added.
Amnesty International had in a four page 2015/2016 annual report accused the Nigerian authorities of illegally holding the IMN leader, Ibraheem Zakzakky.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
