IMN PROSCRIPTION: MASSOB fears Abuja may witness violent international conflicts

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has warned that the proscription of the Islamic Movement it of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ites, could turn Abuja into “a theatre of a violent international conflict” between two major Islamic sects – Sunnis and Shi’ites

The pro-Biafra group stated this in a statement by its leader, Uchenna Madu on Friday, in reaction to the proscription of the IMN by the Federal Government.

Madu, who accused the Muhammadu Buhari government of bias, wondered why the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, had not been tagged a terrorist group by the FG.

The MASSOB leader also condemned the continued detention of the leader of the IMN, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, calling for his release.

According to him, the international backers of the IMN, especially Iran, would not be happy with the proscription of the group in the country.

He said: “Like IPOB, the IMN is not a terrorist organisation.

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“Shi’ites are members of an Islamic sect, an internationally recognised religious movement. They are not only in Nigeria. You find them all over the world.

“So, how is it that they are now a terrorist organisation in Nigeria? They are not terrorists, just like IPOB are not terrorists.

“But like IPOB, they are another group President Buhari hates and he is dealing with them severely, just as he dealt with IPOB.

“Buhari is a Sunni (Muslim) and Sunnis always have problems with Shi’ites, so he (Buhari) is punishing and persecuting Shi’ites here in Nigeria.

“Buhari should know that the decisions being taken by his government can turn Nigeria, particularly Abuja, into a theatre of a violent international conflict between Sunnis and Shi’ites, and when this happens it will affect everybody; the blood of both dogs and baboons will flow on the streets of Abuja.”

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