The Presidency has said with the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria(also known as Shiites), security agencies have the power to take “any necessary action” against the group as was done to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra led by Nnamdi Kanu.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.
Responding to a question, he said, “In Kaduna, it (proscription) worked; these troublesome people were chased out of the state. They no longer have a foothold there. They moved over to Abuja and that is why we have them here. It (court order) will be enforced.
“What that means is that the law enforcement agencies in the country have the right to take whatever steps necessary to deal with their activities.”
When asked what would happen if another IMN protest was staged, Shehu said they would not be allowed to do so.
“My advice is that they better not do that. It won’t be allowed. They are not allowed to protest anymore.”
When asked why the Presidency failed to obey the Federal High Court order on the unconditional release of El-Zakzaky and his wife in 2016, Shehu said the matter was a complicated issue.
The President’s spokesman said El-Zakzaky was granted bail on just one of the matters he was being held for but was not granted bail on other matters.
He also faulted the statement of the Christian Association of Nigeria condemning the proscription.
Shehu argued that it was not the freedom of worship that was curtailed but the freedom to protest.
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