'Nigerian government should designate IMN terrorist group' - Group

A civil society group, the Coalition Of Civil Society Organizations For Transparency and Good Governance [COCSOTGG], has called on the President and the Attorney General of the Federation to designate the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, [IMN] a terrorist group.

The group said the IMN led by Sheik Ibrahim El-ZakZaky has continued to cause havoc in some parts of the country and if care was not taken to curb the situation, it might snowball into another disaster in the country.

COCSOTGG was reacting to the recent clash between police and some members of the movement who had gone to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to protest the detention of their leader over acts of terrorism.

The National President of COCSOTGG, Patriot Sabo Ode said Nigerians shall no longer accept the complacency of the AGF on the continued existence of the IMN in the country.

According to Ode, their action is a direct threat and danger to the peace loving and law abiding citizens of Nigeria.

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In a statement at a press conference, Ode said:

"We deserve to live and survive in our country, free of molestations or phobia of violence in whatever guise."

Ode added that if the AGF fails to initiate the necessary action now, the IMN sect which, by the estimation of all right-thinking members of the society, is worse than Boko Haram terrorists, will re-enact the regime of bomb attacks in Abuja or elsewhere in Nigeria.

"We are neither the least nor the most concerned about the security of our dear nation, Nigeria. But when we see national security drifting dangerously and fired with impunity by some violent sects, the dire consequences stare us in the face and, we are thus, prompted to voice out, as time has dictated at the moment.

We believe it is our collective responsibility as people of a united federation called Nigeria to work towards those things that perch peace in our hearts and minds, neighborhood or anywhere in the country, then violence.

So, our unadulterated convictions point to the natural understanding that violence solves no problem; but peace and dialogue are universal antidotes and, indisputably, the keys which prosper nations around the world.

We reiterate that the extent or magnitude of bravado does not post any useful results to any of the parties in a rivalry.

Therefore, COCSOTGG was prompted into speaking to the Nigerian public again because Nigerians appear to be very complacent with what we consider to be a thorough misbehavior, affront, and assault on our dear nation, with the siege on Abuja in numbers, exceeding 10, 000 by Shiites members.

Their leader, Shiek Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has taught them everything, except the rule of law or subordination to lawfully constituted authority and government of the Nigeria.

We have observed that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, who though claim some religious activity, but are, unfortunately, always combat-ready and striking any ideologically unaligned persons with awesome unprovoked violence and murder.

And also, both leaders and adherents boldly profess allegiance to the Islamic Republic of Iran and affiliation with ISIS, as their mentors and sponsors of this bizarre version of Islamism in Nigeria.

Emboldened by this background, IMN sect members breach laws of the Nigerian federation with impunity and dares everybody, with a confounding recklessness or ruthlessness.

From their Spiritual head Sheik El-Zakzaky to incensed aficionados, they all hunger to test their intolerable tempestuousness on the Nigerian public anytime, anywhere, so courageously.

It is the same siege they laid on Zaria City in Kaduna State. It is the same unlawful siege on Kano, Yobe or other states in the North. No one noticed the potential danger at the budding stage.

And the Shiites sect expanded to what it is now, extending to Abuja, after Kaduna state Governor, outlawed the sect at the state level.

In Abuja on their so-called 'peaceful' protests, the IMN sect members did not only hurl insults and held the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ransom and in contempt, but stoned the Police, the only civil security agency mandated by law to supervise their lawful protests.

The Police were compelled to necessarily use teargas canisters’ to disperse the unruly Shiites mob.

ALSO READ: "Ibraheem El-Zakzaky: Police disrupt Shiite protest to free leader"

The Coalition will be left with no option but to mobilize Nigerians against the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and to pass a vote of no confidence on him until he resigns from the office which he holds in trust for the rest of us.

Enough is enough of the IMN threats which is already a negative signal within the FCT in view of their recklessness and violence posture to inflict pains on anyone without looking back."