Police in Kaduna forbid gatherings of Shi'ites, increasing security there

The proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria has been prohibited from holding any unlawful gatherings, including its planned Ashura march, according to the Police Command in Kaduna State.

The restriction was declared in a statement released on Sunday in Kaduna by ASP Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokeswoman.

Hassan said, “The command has banned every manner of illegal protest in the State.

” This is coming on the heels of a received intelligence indicating that the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria also known as Shi’ite are planning a procession to mark the 2024 Islamic Ashura day ceremony.

“It is an undeniable fact that the said ritual practice has in the recent past been characterised by unimaginable violence leading to the destruction of properties, injuries to persons and even loss of lives.

“It is against this backdrop that the Police command is warning the said sect members, who were since proscribed by law, to drop such a procession idea, “he said.

Hassan declared that anyone or any group that dared to break the prohibition will face the full force of the law, particularly the banned members of the IMN.

He stated that Mr. Ali Dabigi, the Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State Command, has urged everyone who abides by the law to carry out their legal endeavors fearlessly.

He also asserted that the self-centered deviation of a small number of “renegades” could never jeopardize the state’s hard-won relative calm.

NAN