Shi’ites knock police over alleged planned mayhem in Borno

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as Shi’ites, led by Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has slammed the Borno State Police Command over a wireless message warning against an alleged plan by the group to cause mayhem in the state.

The police, in a wireless message released on April 9, 2024, with reference number CB:0900/BRS/VOL.12/60, which was obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, claimed that the Borno State Command had intelligence report indicating that the IMN has vowed to avenge the alleged killings of its members by the police in Kaduna.

It further noted that a source revealed that Haris, the ‘armed wing’ of the IMN, is planning to attack police officers at vulnerable locations, especially in hotels, beer parlours, black spots, residences, and checkpoints.

The document read, “CB:0900/BRS/VOL.12/60 Security general; Intel available to the command indicates that Islamic Movement in Nigeria aka Shiite has vowed to avenge the alleged killings of its members by the police in Kaduna, soon.

“The source revealed that the armed wing (Haris) of the group, is planning to attack police officers at vulnerable locations, especially in hotels, beer parlours, black spots, residences, and checkpoints.

“In view therefore, you are to note and circulate (the message) to all officers to be conscious of their personal safety and security. Treat it as very important, please.”

Responding to the development, the spokesperson for the IMN, Prof I. H. Mshelgaru, in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, denied the allegations in the police wireless message.

Mshelgaru further noted that the IMN, led by El-Zakzaky expressed deep concern over the claim, and therefore wished to refute the message as false.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a ‘police wireless message’ emanating from the Borno State Police Command indicating that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has vowed to avenge the killings of its members by the police force in Kaduna.

“This so-called intelligence message Referenced CB.0900/BRS/VOL.12/60 released at 11:30 am on April 9, 2024, was circulated to all police formations across the State, with additional instruction to snap and share among operation bases commanders for quick dissemination.

“The source of the message according to the command warned that the armed wing of the movement is planning to attack police operatives at vulnerable locations, especially; hotels, beer parlours, black spots, residences and checkpoints among others.

“The Islamic movement led by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky expresses deep concern on coming across this devious claim and therefore wishes to refute this message as false.”

He added that the IMN had no plan to attack police officers over the killings of its members while noting that the group had never tried to take revenge on the attacks on its members since its inception.

Mshelgaru noted, “We want to categorically inform the general public that there is no plan to avenge the killings of the seven of our innocent brothers killed in Kaduna and Zaria eight days ago, be it on the police or any other organization or individual.

“This shameful ‘intelligence’ surprisingly, came from the police headquarters in Maiduguri, almost 800 kilometres away from Kaduna where the last killings occurred,”

“History has recorded that for the more than 40 years of its existence, the Islamic movement has never embarked on any vengeance or reprisal mission on either security forces or their sponsored hoodlums, despite the intense prolonged persecutions and heightened provocations.

“It is not willing to avenge, but even if it were to do so, it is illogic, unreasonable and incompatible to avenge a crime committed in Kaduna by people very well known to the movement on innocent police operatives in corners of Borno State.”

Meanwhile, the IMN condemned the claim by the police that the group has an armed wing while citing the 2014 and 2015 massacres of its members under former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari’s administrations.

The IMN added, “It is equally ridiculous for the Nigeria police to claim that the movement has an armed wing when the whole world had witnessed the killing of thousands of brothers and sisters including the Zaria 2014 and 2015 massacres by the security without incurring even a single injury or casualty.

“We call on the Nigeria Police to withdraw this disgraceful message it called intelligence and advise it to further desist from all these forms of viciousness and instead concentrate its efforts on the true agents of insecurity in Borno State to flex its weaponry muscles on, to give Borno State residents respite and leave the Islamic movement, as we are vowed to continue with our known struggle for social justice for all.

“By circulating this false and unintelligent intelligence at this time, the Nigeria police in its usual hypocrisy may be planning to commit crimes on the specified locations and blame it on the Islamic movement as it did severally in the past.

“As such, the general public is further cautioned to this possible evil police intention and should note that in case of any security breach in these named places, the police should be held responsible.

“Meanwhile, we still hold the Federal and State Governments responsible for the killing of our brothers on the streets of Kaduna and Zaria peacefully protesting for Palestine and we will continue to seek justice for those killed or injured by the police until we get it, no matter how long.

“The police should also note that the restraints of the Islamic movement over the years should not be taken for granted; for even conscience tells that there is a limit to irresponsibility and oppression.

“Sheikh Zakzaky has said it, time without number, that the day of retribution will come, and will certainly come and justice shall be served accordingly. All these atrocities have not been, and will never be forgotten or forgiven.

“Your false alarms and provocations cannot force the movement to act unduly or distract the conduct of its peaceful activities anywhere in the country. A stitch in time saves nine.”

Last week Friday, there was tension in parts of the Kaduna State metropolis following a face-off between policemen and members of the IMN.

The Islamic sect, which had earlier been proscribed by the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, usually holds a procession every last Friday leading to the end of the Ramadan fasting period for Muslims.

Meanwhile, a day earlier, the United States Embassy in Nigeria had warned its citizens resident in the country to be cautious and take security measures over a planned nationwide protest by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shiites.

Following the US embassy’s security alert, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command promised adequate security for residents during the period and beyond.