Sect alleges security agents prevented them from Katsina, Kebbi mosques

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April 4, 2016 9:12 AM

The Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria has said that a combined armed security team on Friday, April 1, 2016 prevented them from worshipping in their mosques in Katsina and Kebbi states.

According to the group spokesman, Ibrahim Musa in a statement issued on Sunday, April 3, 2016 said that brothers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria could not conduct their usual post-khutba preaching session at the Central Juma’at Mosque in Katsina.

The statement alleged that the security forces besieged the mosques from the early hours of the morning chanting “no more Shi’ah in Katsina!”

“Even though the brothers of IMN took the decision to cancel the preaching session in order to avoid spilling of blood of innocent unarmed Muslims by the military and other security agents, the security agents dispersed worshippers from the mosque immediately after the Juma’at prayers,” Musa said.

The group which said worship places are supposed to be held in high regard added that the team of Nigerian Army and other security agents chose to violate the sanctity of the mosque and right to religious freedom by their actions.

“Thereafter, there was a heavy security patrol across the main streets of the town ostensibly to provoke and instill unnecessary fear in the residents. Such a horrendous situation continued throughout the night.”

“Also in Yauri town in Kebbi state, there were similar measures taken by the security agencies there. And just like in Katsina, brothers of the Islamic Movement in the town suspended their preaching session in order to foil the determined efforts by the authorities to kill innocent Muslims.”

“The Divisional Police Officers, DPOs in various towns in Kebbi state gave written order to the brothers of the Islamic Movement in their domain that they should cease all their educational activities or they face the wrath of their might,” the statement alleged.

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