Akpevwe Okuse
The Kaduna State Police Command has prohibited all forms of illegal gatherings by the banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including its planned Ashura procession.
The spokesperson for the command, ASP Mansir Hassan, announced the ban in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
Hassan stated, “The command has prohibited all forms of illegal protests in the state.”
“This is coming on the heels of intelligence received indicating that the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shi’ite, is 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 characterized 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 stated that the authorities would not hesitate to enforce the ban, especially against the outlawed IMN members.
He said the Commissioner of Police for the Kaduna State Command, Mr. Ali Dabigi, has called on all law-abiding individuals to go about their lawful activities without fear.
