Army/Shiite crisis : Shi’ite rejects Kaduna white paper

Following the release of the  white paper on the Judicial Commission of Inquiry by the Kaduna State government on the clash between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Nigerian Army, in Zaria, last year, the movement has said it has  rejected the white paper report in its entirety.

The state government, had, on Monday, released a white paper, and reaffirmed  that the movement remain banned as it had earlier in October banned the movement.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, on Thursday, the Head, Shuhadah Foundation of IMN, Sheikh AbdulHamid Bello, alleged that the state government ignored 99 per cent of the recommendations of the inquiry and recognised only the ones that called for the restriction of IMN.

Asked if IMN is a registered organisation, Sheikh Bello said all organisations under IMN are registered, adding that, “IMN is not a body, it is a phenomenon, it is not an organisation, it is like Islam and Christianity, ”

“From our preliminary analysis of the so -called retroactive white paper, the Kaduna State government rejected 99 per cent of the core recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and only accepted the ones that suggested the unconstitutionally restriction of the activities of  IMN and the continuation of hostile activities towards its property.

“We are convinced that the chairman and some members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be regretting their participation in a commission that was programmed to work from a predetermined conclusion but which found itself overwhelmed by the evidence of state -sponsored genocide against members of  IMN.

“While the Kaduna State government allegedly declared IMN as an ‘unlawful society’ on the basis of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, it forgot that it had not issued a white paper on same.

And this is why in paragraph 8.4.3 of the said white paper, stated that “Government notes the recommendation but observes that  IMN has been declared as an unlawful society under Section 97 AandB of the Penal Code of Kaduna State”.

“That the Kaduna State government would label  IMN an ‘insurgent’ group when they have not taken up arms against the country even in the face of extreme provocation and persecution by the government.”

“By rushing out with a white paper a few days after the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shows clearly that the Kaduna State government is afraid that it will be held  responsible for the atrocities  it had  committed against members of IMN.