Kaduna State Bans Nigeria’s Shia Organization

MEP: The Kaduna State Government in Nigeria on Friday has declared a ban on main Shia group led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky “Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)”, calling it as unlawful, citing “peace and security” as the reason behind the decision.

The government said the action was taken to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its constitution.

The Kaduna state government said anyone convicted of being a member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria could be imprisoned for seven years, fined or both. The size of the fine was not specified.

It further claimed that the Shia group had “overtly continued with unlawful processions” and “obstruction of public highways” since last December when the Army forces clashed with the IMN members.

On Thursday (6 October), the state council in Kaduna convened a meeting in which it was decided that the Shia organisation will be banned. The government reportedly based its decision on the findings of the inquiry commission.

On December 12, 2015, Nigerian soldiers attacked Shia Muslims attending a ceremony at a religious center in the city of Zaria in Kaduna, accusing them of blocking the convoy of the army’s chief of staff and attempting to assassinate him.

On the same day, Nigerian forces raided the home of the IMN leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and arrested the prominent cleric after reportedly killing those attempting to protect him.

A total of 348 members of the religious community had been killed by the Nigerian army during the two-day raids, a judicial inquiry concluded in August.

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