Government Outlawed Criminality Of IMN, Not Freedom Of Worship — Presidency

The Presidency says the proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion; instead it was to discourage wanton violence, murder and willful destruction of public and private property.

Contrary to the claim by IMN that it had been banned from practicing its religion, President Buhari’s administration said that it has not banned Shiites from observing their five daily prayers and going to Mecca to perform the Holy pilgrimage and that their position is blatantly false & deceptive.

“The IMN is deliberately changing the narrative in order to gain sympathy and divert the attention of the world from its terrorist activities, including attacking soldiers, killing policemen and a youth corps member, destroying public property, consistently defying State authority.”
The Presidency noted that the banned organization was taken over by extremists who did not believe in peaceful protests and instead employed violence and arson, driving fear and undermining the rights of others and constituted authority. The Presidency agreed that the constitution protects freedom of worship, but not to the detriment of the society, especially where such freedom harms others, and breaks law and order.
The government insisted that such criminal behaviour and disregard for rights of others and human life will not be tolerated by any responsible government.
“Everywhere in the world protesters operate within legal boundaries and conduct themselves peacefully without molesting others, or engaging in murder and killing of security personnel or destroying public and private property.”
“We are fighting lawlessness and criminality and not pursuing a policy of discrimination against any group. You cannot be in court while at the same time engaging in violent protests, molesting people and inflicting pains on others, which includes taking innocent lives” the Presidency said.