Nigerians have right to embark on peaceful protest – Shi’ite challenges DSS

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, has stressed that it is the “inalienable rights” of Nigerians to embark on peaceful protests.

The movement also known as Shi’ite made the remark in reaction to allegations by the Department of State Services, DSS, saying it’s planning to embark on a violent protest.

It urged members of the public to disregard DSS’ claim, saying it is coming from “purveyor of half-truths among the agents of DSS that are profiteering from the denial of the rights of IMN to embark on violent protest.”

A statement signed by its President of Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa and made available to DAILY POST, on Monday reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a report emanating from the Directorate for state security saying that they have learnt from credible sources that Shiites are to embark on violent protest.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has no plan whatsoever to stage any violent protest; hence this report is another from the purveyors of half-truths among the agents of DSS that are profiteering from the denial of the rights of IMN members and should be disregarded.

“Similar fake so-called intelligent reports by the Military alleging that IMN members were stockpiling arms for revenge attack was the alibi for the December 2015 massacre, which led to the extra-judicial murder of over a thousand innocent citizens in Zaria.

“This was later disproved even by their own one-sided Commission of inquiry that found and reported that the widely held belief that IMN was stockpiling weapons was not true.

“The DSS and other security agents must realise that peaceful protests are the inalienable rights of citizens. They must come to terms with this fact. It cannot be denied under any pretence. The heavy-handedness of security agents since the unjustifiable December 2015 attack is enough justification for peaceful protests.

“Additionally, the continued detention of our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky by the federal government in contempt of the court is a further justification for peaceful protests.

“We will like to reassure the general public that our protests will continue to remain peaceful no matter the provocation as it has always been. We will not succumb to any intimidation. We remain focused and resolute on our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of our leader Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife and other detainees.”

#DSS #Shiite