Shi’ite alleges fresh plot by DSS to blackmail, instigate massacre of its members

THE Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise called Shi’ites have alleged fresh plot by the Department of State Security (DSS) in linking the movement to a terrorist group, thereby blackmailing them.

During a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, the movement accused the DSS of writing to several security agencies, alerting them that the followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were planning massive violence in Nigeria.

The IMN therefore rejected and denied knowledge of the existence of Islamic State West Africa Province, and plans of attacking any town in Nigeria.

According a statement by the group and signed by Engr. Abdullahi Muhammad Musa, the movement said the allegation was baseless and an evil plan targeted at instigating another massacre of their members.

The statement reads: “I write to inform the public that the Department of State Service (DSS) has circulated unfounded circular to all Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police alleging that the Islamic movement in Nigeria under the leadership of his Eminence, Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky (H) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the country are planning a massive violent protest. The letter circulated by the DSS also alleged that the followers of Sheikh Zakzaky (H) intends to besiege some major Northern cities and towns in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the planned attack. Please find the attached copy of the letter from the DSS.

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“In view of the foregoing, we categorically reject the unprofessional, unintelligent and baseless allegations made by the DDS and confirm that we do not know the existence of any group called Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and we have no plan to besiege or attack any town, place or person. It is pertinent to state that the history of the Islamic movement under the leadership of Sheikh Zakzaky since from inception to date and record or our daily Free Zakzaky protest, we never attack or besiege any town or person.

“I also want to inform the public that we consider these baseless allegations by the DSS as evil plan to provide another platform for the massacre of the followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) in major Northern cities and towns in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as they did in December 2015 Zaria Massacre. Instead of the DSS to unconditional release the Sheikh Zakzaky (H) as ordered by the Federal High Court in 2016, but continue to promote the killing of Nigerians.

“The public will recall that the DSS and the Nigerian Army used unjustifiable physical force against Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) and his followers, which led to the killing of more than 1,000 people in December 2015, in Zaria. During the Zaria massacre, hundreds of students, women and children were killed and Sheikh Zakzaky (H), his wife and numerous followers of the Sheikh were arrested. The Federal Government is yet to prosecute the perpetrators of Zaria massacre and now the DSS is planning for another one.

“While rejecting the unprofessional, unintelligent and baseless allegations made by the DSS, I want to call for unconditional release of the Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) and his wife.”