Governor El-Rufai-led Kaduna state government has reiterated its respect for the fundamental right of every resident to practice the religion of his choice.
The Special Assistant to Kaduna State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan stated this at a news briefing in Kaduna.
He said that Government had a responsibility to uphold the fundamental right and security of everyone by ensuring that, no individual or group exercise their right by infringing on the right of others.
He explained that, Government did not and cannot ban any religious practice but only declared Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as shiite as unlawful because its activities threaten public peace.
Recall that the Kaduna State Government had, following its deliberations at its meeting of Thursday, 06 October 2016, issued an order declaring the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society.
The ban had read that “Whoever manages, or is a member of the said Society under any appellation or mutation with the propensity of causing the breakdown of law and order, or operates in a manner dangerous to the good governance of the State shall, from commencement of this order, be prosecuted in accordance with the Laws of Kaduna State.”
Also recall that The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) had equally said it would institute a legal action against the Kaduna State Government for declaring the group illegal.
The Spokesperson of the movement, Ibraheem Musa had told newsmen in Kaduna that the ban announced by the government was illegal.
“Its an infringement on our basic right as citizens of the country. “We are not going to be intimidated into taking any violence or unlawful activity but will take legal action against the Kaduna State Government for the infringement,“ he had said.
However, the Special Assistant to the Kaduna state governor, Mr Samuel Aruwan argued that, before the Islamic Movement in Nigeria was declared unlawful, the Group had consistently blocked roads and occupied public facilities without permission among other violations.
Mr Aruwan pointed out that the state government which released the gazette on the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clashes between members of the Movement and the Nigerian Army in Zaria found out that the Group was unregistered and recommended immediate steps be taken by Government.
He maintained that the activities of the movement if allowed to go unchecked, would continue to pose danger to the peace, tranquillity and harmonious coexistence in the State.
Mr Aruwan noted that, the State Government insist that, only law enforcement agencies have the authority to prevent and deter violations of law or arrest violators.
He warned that, nobody should take the laws into their hands, rather, it is the duty of every citizen to report any illegal action or suspicious activities to the security agencies for necessary action.
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