The Islamic Movement in Nigeria says it has detected a plan the Federal Government to kill some people during its Ashura procession in Abuja and other cities in the North and other States on Tuesday
This, the group said is being done to finger the sect as the mastermind of the killings.
Popularly known as Shi’ites, the group also said it had information that the police “will employ extra judicial approach to assault, arrest or kill whoever participates in the religious event”.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by a member of the Academic Forum of the IMN, Abdullahi Musa on Monday
He called on religious leaders, civil society organisations, the international community and others to monitor the procession in order to expose those that are so desperate to cause violence for a pittance.
Ashura procession is an annual religious ritual carried out by Shia (Shi’ites) Muslims all over the world.
In another statement on Monday by the President of the Media Forum of the group, Ibrahim Musa, Shi’ites alleged that the FG “is planning to kill innocent security personnel, journalists and some members of the public and put the blame on members of the Islamic Movement just as they did in Abuja in July”.
The statement added, “We therefore call on security personnel, journalists and members of the public to be particularly extra vigilant. The public, media and the international community should hold the government responsible for the false flag operation should violence break out during our usual Ashurah commemoration on Tuesday.”
Following the July 22 clash between police and Shi’ites in Abuja which led to the death of DCP Umar Usman, a corps member, Precious Owolabi, and about 11 IMN members, the FG proscribed the sect.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, blamed Shi’ites, who were protesting against the detention of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, for the incident and subsequently ordered the arrest of their leaders and members across the country.
The IG in a signal to all state Commissioners of Police dated August 30, also directed them to dismantle the structures of the group.
