The Shi’ite group in Nigeria has denied any involvement in the
abduction of a Nigerian Army Colonel in Kaduna last Saturday. There had
been early speculations that the group might have been involved in the
act.
The group issued a press statement to that effect on Monday.
It reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and
mischievous claim, that looks more like a planned operation aimed at
painting the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) black, of some
‘intelligence’ report that the IMN may plan kidnap of military officers
for ransom for the release of our revered leader, His Eminence Sheikh
Ibraheem Zakzaky.
Typically, this was followed by the alleged kidnap of an Army officer
in Kaduna with the Nigerian Army issuing statement calling on the
public to give information that would lead to the arrest of the
perpetrators. Soon, some media outlets were quick to quote these
malicious sources linking the IMN with the alleged kidnap.
We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky
has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any
of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally
sinful and are not in our character.
The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative
ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of
crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country. As a religious
body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime.
Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to
presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of
immorality.
It has conducted its activities in the most civilized manner and
cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will
therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.
It is obvious that the government and its Army are going further with
their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda against the
Movement ranging from smear documentaries on Television networks,
advertorials in daily newspapers, sponsoring fake non-governmental
organizations and engagement of some very dubious characters to malign
the IMN and its leadership, to engaging in organized crimes and
attributing same to the Movement.
We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky
has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any
of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally
sinful and are not in our character.
The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative
ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of
crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country. As a religious
body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime.
Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to
presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of
immorality.
The IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and responsible
members. For close to four decades now, it has conducted its activities
in the most civilized manner and cannot in any way be derailed from
that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted
into any form of crime or violence. We are forced to believe that the
government and its Army are resorting to these vicious campaigns in
desperation.
Finally, we would like to use this platform to echo our call on the
government and its Army to own up to their crimes and release the
revered leader of the Movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and other members
unconditionally.”
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PLEASE BE POLITE