Any gathering by IMN Shi’ites will be treated as an act of terrorism —IGP

As members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) continue with plans for their annual procession, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed Commissioners of Police in all the States and the FCT, to stop the gathering.

Despite being proscribed by the Federal Government, the Shiites had announced that they would proceed on their yearly Ashura procession on September 10 in Abuja and other cities in the North.

The police have however warned that any gathering by the Shi’ites would be treated as “a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.”

In line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice of July 26, 2019, the police stated that the IMN had been proscribed in the country and could not hold any procession.

Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement on Monday, said: “It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some members of the proscribed IMN intend to embark on a nationwide procession, ostensibly to cause disruption of public peace, order and security in the country.

“The force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019, the activities of the IMN have been proscribed.

“Consequently, all gathering or procession by the group remains ultimately illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.”