₦airaland Forum

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has said that Shiite members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have to recognise the authority of security officials by seeking their permission before they hold any gathering. Mr. Ganduje said this in an interview with journalists on the sideline of the third edition of the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award in Abuja on Friday night. The governor said that members of the sect could not keep breaking the law and tampering with the rights of other citizens.

“As far as they continue breaking the law, the police have to come in. They cannot use they-have-the-freedom-to-do-whatever-they-want because they are crossing other people’s human rights.

“As far as we are concerned, they have to recognise the authority; they have to get permission.

“If they do not get permission, then the police will not allow them to continue the procession that they do.”

Mr. Ganduje’s remarks come a day after the U.S. government advised caution in Nigeria’s handling of the Shiites crisis and called for an investigation of the Kano killings.

No less than nine people were confirmed dead and many others injured following a clash between members of the group and the police in Kano city on Monday. Trouble broke out around Tamburawa, on the outskirts of Kano city, after the police tried to stop the Shiite members who had embarked on the annual Arbaeen trek from Kano to Zaria.

The Kano State Police Command, however, said security operatives including anti-robbery squad units only intervened as the Shiite members began attacking motorists and passersby.

The Kano State Police Commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf, confirmed that one police officer was also killed.
The Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, on Wednesday, also said the police should be appreciated for the method deployed by officials of the force. Mr. Idris said that the police had a responsibility to ensure that law and order was maintained adding that the activities of the group needed to be checked.

In October, Kano police banned IMN from conducting street processions ahead of the annual Ashura celebration.

As part of their demands, the Shiites seek the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been held by the federal government without trial since December when over 300 members of his group were killed by soldiers. The soldiers said the IMN members blocked a road and plotted to kill the army chief, Tukur Buratai, a claim the Shiites denied.

Rafidi:
[b]“If they do not get permission, then the police will not allow them to continue the procession that they do.”


The question:

Are the Shia ignoring government permit for their religious procession because they are lawless? Or is it becaus if they apply for permission the government of the day would disregard freedom of religion enshrined in the constitution and deny them such permit for sectarian reasons and prejudice?

If the governor is sincere and is truly after earning the respect of Nigerian citizens for the law of the land and the government of the day, he should first give an unambiguous assurance that the government respects freedom of religion and permit will be given if they seek it for their procession. It is the responsibility of government to make the Shia Muslims feel their rights are respected and to have a sense of belonging to Nigeria. The government should make assurances that the law should be respected and also the law will respect the rights of people.

It should not be a case of either using the law to deny them their right to freedom of religion or if they insist on exercising their right then force would be used against them in the name of the law. Both parties should respect the law. The law is meant to protect the right of citizens and not to impose on them to deny them their right.the law is not a trap to deny citizens their rights.

The governor and govt. need to give assurance that their right will be respected if they seek permit for their procession and it will be given. The government would have succeeded in bringing these people under the umbrella of the Nigerian state. Shia Muslims hold processions even in important cities as London and New York. They are given permit and the police guard their processions.why is the case different in Nigeria which is democratic and secular? What role do Wahhabi clerics and their intolerance to Muslims of other interpretations or versions play in all of this? You can't wake up and say you don't want a particular group of people or their religion. There is no success in trying to determine or impose on people what they believe or how they choose to worship. Controlling what people believe in is impossible.tolerance is key.[/b]

Stalwert:
[s][/s]
shut up and apply for permit even Iran doesn't allow public gathering without permission. All your lies about intolerance just have no grounds in any sensible discussion. ... follow the due process of the law if the police refuse you are expected to approach the courts not take the laws into your hands.
Unfortunately illiteracy has prevented the bulk of the members of imn to discern they are breaking the law hence their resort to acting violently.

Stalwert:
[s][/s]

shut up and apply for permit even Iran doesn't allow public gathering without permission. All your lies about intolerance just have no grounds in any sensible discussion. ... follow the due process of the law if the police refuse you are expected to approach the courts not take the laws into your hands.

Unfortunately illiteracy has prevented the bulk of the members of imn to discern they are breaking the law hence their resort to acting violently.

crosbreaka:
Will the courts be obeyed? Didn't the presidency give reasons for not obeying court orders?

When the Zaria massacre took place, where were the courts? Does embarking on procession without permit justify shooting and killing and mass grave? What of demolition of properties including a registered school?

Does the constitution guaranty the right of the citizens freedom to assemble even without police permit?

Please answer with the facts. Not sentiments. Let's see who is right and who is really wrong or infringing upon the rights of others.

Stalwert:
[s][/s]
Responding with multiple ids goes to show the falsehood you peddle. Mister all Nigerians including people who do outdoor advertising like road shows take permit from the police so as to maintain public order even Iran the country you blindly murdered its citizens for less offense and won't tolerate lawlessness that the largely illiterate followers of zazzaky act out in public.


We should note this is a supposedly literate follower of zazzaky making a case for disobeying the law what. will the illiterates amongst them say?

crosbreaka:
Ok. So keep supporting them being shot. And excuse yourself that Iran or Nicaragua do the same thing to its citizens.

You are very stupid for calling me a Zakzaky follower. Both you and they are the same and stupid illiterates. If they are not stupid like you they won't subject themselves to be shot. And if you're not stupid too you won't support any act that takes human life. Sectarian i m b e c i l e! When your fellow Sunnis block roads for Friday prayer, you don't judge that as breakdown of law and order.