Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu has given an explanation as to the proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites.
According to Mr Garba, the ban has nothing to do with other peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion.
In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the presidency said they had to proscribe the group to put an end to wanton violence, murder and willful destruction of public and private property.
The statement reads thus, “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.”
Photo Credit: Getty
