- IGP Places Commands On Red Alert Nationwide… Assures Safety of Foreign Nationals
- IMN Members Vow To Resume Protest Over Detained Leader, El-zakzaky
Nigerian government needs to do more to foil any attempt by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to attack US and UK citizens in the country, the Global Action for Peace (GAP) has said while raising an alarm on Sunday.
The alarm by GAP is coming in the wake of an attack on Iraq which has heightened tensions between America and Iran to fever level, following the execution of a top Iranian General and political figure, Qassem Soleimani on Friday.
The group while calling on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to gather intelligence on the recent activities of the group, asked the government to tackle whatever uprising the IMN is planning in Nigeria against US, UK and other foreign nationals in the country in solidarity with Iran.
The call coincides with a directive issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu placing police Commands and Formations nationwide on red alert.
Recall IMN has reportedly enjoyed heavy support from the government of Iran in several of its activities around the country and the Nigerian government has claimed multiple times that its leader, Ibrahim Elzakzaky has the full support of Iran for the shi’ite nation to achieve its aim in Nigeria.
According to the President of GAP, Agbo Joseph who spoke at a press conference, the IMN should be put on the terror watch list of the United States and the United Kingdom as part of measures to protect US and UK citizens in Nigeria.
A statement by the group reads “The Global Action for Peace views with concern the posturing of members of the IMN that was evident in the public demonstration in some parts of northern Nigeria declaring a “jihad” on the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
“These threats are very typical of the terrorist activities of the IMN as an organization whose ideology is deeply rooted in violence and religious intolerance.
“The Global Action for Peace wishes to state that it is on record that the Nigerian authorities have, on numerous occasions, indicated how the IMN as agents of the Iranian government had engaged in terrorist activities in Nigeria that have brought untold hardship and bodily harm on innocent and unarmed Nigerians.
“Also, the IMN has, on numerous occasions, confronted security operatives in Nigeria, including one that led to the death of a senior police officer and many others.
“We must, therefore, be concerned that the current situation across the globe demands action that the IMN be put on the terror watch list of the United States and the United Kingdom, and measures put in place to protect US and UK citizens in Nigeria,” the group said.
Following the intelligence gathered on likely retaliatory moves and possible breach of peace and public disturbance over the recent killing of the Iranian General sparking tensions in the Middle East, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered security beef-up around foreign nationals, embassies, and other interests across the country.
The IGP has, however, said his directive was a proactive measure geared at nipping planned disturbance in the bud. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, stated this in a statement.
Mba assured the public of security and safety of lives and property across the country.
“This proactive measure follows intelligence report that sequel to the recent killing of an Iranian General…., some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage.
“Consequently, Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation”, Mba said.
According to him: “The Police Commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert Police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreign ers especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.
“The IGP has assured all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria of adequate security. He has equally warned all potential trouble makers to steer clear of the streets and territory of Nigeria, as the Force will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on all law breakers.”
It would be recalled that last Monday the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed urged Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian security operatives to enable the country overcome its insecurity challenges. Mohammed who claimed the country is winning the war against terror, also said “terrorism is not just a Nigerian problem.
“It’s a global problem and it has global ramifications. The terrorists are as irrational as they are inhuman. They do not subscribe to any religion, despite their pretensions. That explains why they reportedly murdered 11 innocent men in Nigeria recently, in a dastardly and cold-blooded manner, just to avenge the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by US forces. The world must unite to fight this scourge of our time,” the minister said at an end of the year press conference held in Lagos.
Meanwhile, members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), have vowed to start fresh round of protests over government failure to free the detained leader of the group, El-zakzaky, alleging that the Nigerian government wants him to die in detention.
The National President, Association of Shi’ite Singers, Mustafa Gadonkaya, a disciple of the Sheikh, made the allegation over the weekend during the lunching of 100 songs in solidarity with the detained sheikh composed by the association in Bauchi.
According to him, their leader was arrested and has been held captive by security agents since December 2015, adding that the authorities have refused to obey the court orders for his release, payment of compensation and reconstruction of his demolished buildings during the encounter between sect members and the Nigerian Army four years ago in Zaria.
“It is known by everyone that our leader sued the federal government over human rights violation and a federal high court in Abuja ordered his release, reconstruction of his demolished residence and payment of compensation, but the government has disregarded the courts and refused to obey several court orders. What kind of injustice is this?
“At the moment, everyone knows that he is very ill as a result of the gunshots he sustained but these people still keep him in detention despite his ill health. If anything happens to him, this government will be held responsible.
“Worse still, the federal government accepted the request of Kaduna state government to hand him over for prosecution over some baseless accusations. Their motive is to continue to hold him until he dies in detention,” he said.
The group further demanded that the authorities should without further delay free El-zakzaky, his wife and other members, vowing that unless they are released unconditionally, their protests will continue.
