Religious group warns against hijack of Shiite protest

Religious leaders on the platform of Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) have called on the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris to increase security surveillance in all 19 Northern states.

The group made the called at peaceful protest to the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Abuja.

President of the group, Bishop Musa Fomson expressed worry that hoodlums may take advantage of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) massive protest to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

"Any further agitation that anyone has should now be addressed by institutions of the state especially in view of the fact that the Commission has presented its report to Kaduna state governor, Mallam .

"Those that have grievances can therefore approach the court to air them even as we recognize that national interest and security will play crucial roles in what the court and even the military decide.

"We have however seen that the IMN as a sect is bent on fomenting trouble with the controversial trek its members are undertaking from Kaduna to the FCT. The trek was preceded and is being backed with demonstrations in several cities of the northern states," he said.

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Bishop Fosman charged the Northern Governors Forum to 'arrest' the growth of extremism being promoted by the sect.

Habila Joshak, a deputy inspector general of police who received the protesters stated that the force would act on the group's request.

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