FG’s Proscription Order: IMN Suspends Street Protests
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) says it has in the interim suspended all forms of street protests to explore ‘new openings’ for addressing its agitations and demands on the Nigerian state.
According to the Movement, the decision is against the backdrop of the court case instituted by its lawyers challenging the recent proscription order made by the Federal Government.
A statement by IMN’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, said henceforth any body seen protesting in the name of the Movement may be because the notice is yet to reach members in the field “or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image”.
Musa explained that the decision was taken in “good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine.”
Below is the full statement by the IMN:
“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) do hereby announce to the general public and the international community that it has temporarily suspended its Free Zakzaky street protests to allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order made by the federal government this week.
“It has taken this step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine and we sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now.
“If at all any protests occur anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image and be seen as unruly people rather than as victims of savage oppression since 2015.
“The Islamic Movement (IMN) wishes to thank both national and international civil rights activists and organizations who have been busy demanding the protection of our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.
“We also thank the press, both national and international, and the social media activists for the full coverage of our activities throughout the struggle for justice.
“We are committed to exploring the new openings we have seen in resolving this protracted issue. We, therefore, reiterate our demand that our leader, his wife and several others in detention be given their freedom denied to them since 2015”.
