Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has said that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) remains a terrorist organization, therefore will not be allowed to hold any procession.
The IGP stressed that the group remains banned, saying any form of procession by its members would be treated as a gathering to promote terrorism.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by Police spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) stated that all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country had been directed to put measures in place to stop the procession.
The statement reads: “It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some members of proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) intend to embark on a nationwide procession, ostensibly to cause disruption of public peace, order and security in the country.
“The Force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019 of July 26, the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been proscribed.
“Consequently, any gathering or procession by the group remains illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.
“IGP Adamu has directed the Commissioners of Police in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as their supervisory AIGs to put in place concrete measures to avert any planned procession and/or disruption of public peace by the IMN anywhere in the country.”
Also IGP urged the public to give the Force useful information on the activities of the proscribed movement.
The police chief advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to be persuaded into embarking on what he called illegal and ill-motivated activities by anyone or group of persons under any guise whatsoever.
On the claim that 60 of the IMN members were still in police custody, Mba said: “I don’t have information on that, but I will check and revert.”
