THE Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as the Shi’ites sect, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police are plotting to exterminate it.
Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the movement, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday. Musa accused security agencies of attempting to link IMN with Boko Haram, saying the sect’s ideology differs from that of the violent group.
“The Inspector-General of Police, director-general of DSS and other bigwigs of security agencies held a meeting wherein they deliberated on the need to crush the IMN once and for all before the month of Ramadan,” the statement read.
“According to them, all efforts carried out to exterminate the movement so far will come to naught if the annual Quds day rally is staged anywhere in Nigeria again.
“In the past few days, we have received some intelligence reports dished out by security agents insinuating that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) is planning a coalition with Boko Haram.
“The intelligence report further indicated that due to the said ‘strategic alliance with Boko Haram, attacks will be carried out on military formations and other government buildings. Ordinarily we wouldn’t have even reacted to this latest ‘intelligence report’ had it not been due to the frequency with which the report is being peddled across the intelligence community, since we have in the past reiterated our stance vis-à-vis terrorism and terrorist groups.
“However, we distance the IMN from any attempt to associate it with violence and other militant activities. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, our revered leader has said it many times without number that:
“Our weapon is positive reasoning, truth and good conduct. Guns are for the reckless and foolhardy. We have been conducting our affairs peacefully, calling people to the truth in the last 36 years. So, you cannot come overnight and attribute violence to us that we now resort to killing people. This is impossible. We save lives not kill them.”
The group said no level of intimidation would make it back down on its campaign for the release of its leaders