The Department of State Service (DSS) official in charge of Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Mohammed Usman, says Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) – Shiite sect- is funded by Iraq and Iran.
The DSS official also said the Shiite sect don’t believe in Nigeria’s sovereignty, stating that residents of Sabon Gari often complain about the IMN members.
Usman stated this on Wednesday, when the Nigeria police force and the state security Services appeared before the investigative panel set up by the Kaduna state government to probe the December 2015 clash between the sect and the army.
“They don’t believe in the sovereignty of Nigeria; they have their flags. IMN is a state within a state.”
“They have strong affiliation with Iraq and Iran due to the fact that these countries have a large population of Shiite members.They have five different flags which symbolises some beliefs within the movement.”
“I am aware of complaints of residents of Sabon-Gari about them. When people come to complain to me about them, I persuade them to bear the situation because when the IMN officials are invited for a chat, they don’t come.”
Deputy superintendent of police, Keneth Dika, also said members of the Shiite sect do not recognise the Nigeria Police as an authority.
“Like the Boko Haram, if you trace the history of the Shiite, you will find that they have become difficult.”
“The police is aware of the activities of the group over the years, including complaints by residents of Sabon-Gari, Zaria. But there was nothing we could could do to check their excesses other than interfacing with them to achieve peace.”
“The usual altercations between the Shiite and police are about non-recognition of police as a constituted authority, dishonouring police invitations for whatever reason whenever invited, and resisting arrest whenever any of them is reported to have committed an offence.”
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