Kaduna state government has kicked off the war on Sheikh Zakzaki's followers in the state with the ordering of the arrest of one of the leaders of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
A statement from the state government ordered the arrest and prosecution of Ibrahim Musa, the spokesperson of the Islamic Movement.
The order follows just after the IMN had been declared an illegal organisation by the Kaduna government.
The statement read: “The Kaduna State Government has ordered the arrest and subsequent prosecution of one Ibrahim Musa who has owned up to being the spokesperson of an unlawful society, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
“An order declaring the IMN as an unlawful society in Kaduna State went into effect on Friday, 7th October 2016. Violation of this order attracts penalty of imprisonment for seven years or a fine or both, according to sections 97a and 97b of the Penal Code.
“A few hours after the commencement of the Order, Ibrahim Musa admitted to membership of an unlawful society and identified himself as its spokesman in widely publicized statements. This is deemed as a deliberate and determined affront to the order, and the law has to take its course.
“The Commissioner of Police has been directed to ensure the arrest to enable prompt prosecution by the Kaduna State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.
“All security agencies in the state have been directed to vigorously enforce the law, and demonstrate clear resolve by arresting Ibrahim Musa, who is further advised to report himself to the nearest police station or any of the security agencies.
“Drawing on powers vested by Section 45(1) of the Constitution, and Section 97a of the Penal Code, the governor signed an order declaring the IMN as an unlawful society in the interest of public order and to protect the rights and freedoms of all persons in Kaduna State.”
Meanwhile, tension seems to be brewing in Saminaka, headquarters of Lere local government area in Kaduna state following the rejection of a new Shiite building.
On December 13, Nigerian forces raided the house of prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the IMN, and arrested him after killing those attempting to protect him, including one of the movement's senior leaders and its spokesman.
The raid occurred a day after Nigerian soldiers attacked Shia Muslims attending a ceremony at a religious center in the city of Zaria, accusing them of blocking the convoy of the army’s chief of staff and attempting to assassinate him.
The Sheikh himself, who was shot seven times during the attacks and blinded in one eye, still remains in army custody with no charges filed against him.
Despite a Nigerian law which requires that charges be brought in court within 24 hours of an arrest, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari refuses to order Zakzaky’s release.
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