Admin l Tuesday, September 10, 2019
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian Police on Tuesday, reversed itself, and gave tacit approval for members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria(IMN) otherwise called Shiites to embark on their annual ritual, the Ashura Procession, even as it clashed with members of the movement.
Members of the IMN embarked on the procession in Abuja and Kaduna. In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba said Muslims marking the commemoration of “Ashura” throughout the country along with other Muslims across the world are free to carry out the annual “Ashura” procession.
“They should however do so within the confines of the law and guard against infiltration by unscrupulous elements who may want to take advantage of the event to cause disruption of public peace, order and security”, he said.
He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu,NPM,mni has directed all Commissioners of Police and their respective supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Commands and Zones to give full effect to the above clarifications and ensure that IMN Muslims are not in any way restricted from exercising their freedom of religion, worship and peaceful assembly.
In the same vein, the IGP has enjoined members of the public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as the Force is doing all within its capacity to ensure there is no breach of the peace, law and order anywhere in the country’.
