The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has reacted to claims that it masterminded the abduction of a Nigerian Army Colonel, in Kaduna state, on Saturday, March 26.
In a statement on Monday, March 28, by the President, Media Forum of the Movement, Ibrahim Musa, the group dismissed such claims, maintaining that its members are not criminals.
The Nigeria Army had earlier confirmed the abduction of Colonel Samaila Inusa, in his Mercedes-Benz car by gunmen around Kamazo, along Kaduna Refinery Road, in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State on Saturday night.
The military on Monday promised a N1 million reward for anyone with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the Colonel, adding that adequate protection would be given to anyone who provides useful information, and that such tip-off would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Meanwhile, a Thisday newspaper report had on Sunday quoted an intelligence officer as saying that the abduction might be a revenge mission by the Shiite Islamic sect against the Army over the deadly clash in Zaria last year.
In reaction to the report, the group said, “Our attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and mischievous claim, that looks more like a planned operation aimed at painting the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) black, of some ‘intelligence’ report that the IMN may plan kidnap of military officers for ransom for the release of our revered leader, His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
“Typically, this was followed by the alleged kidnap of an Army officer in Kaduna with the Nigerian Army issuing statement calling on the public to give information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Soon, some media outlets were quick to quote these malicious sources linking the IMN with the alleged kidnap.
“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally sinful and are not in our character.”
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The group further added, “The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country.
“As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime. Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of immorality.
“It has conducted its activities in the most civilized manner and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.
“It is obvious that the government and its Army are going further with their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda against the Movement ranging from smear documentaries on television networks, advertorials in daily newspapers, sponsoring fake non-governmental organisations and engagement of some very dubious characters to malign the IMN and its leadership, to engaging in organized crimes and attributing same to the Movement.”
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“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally sinful and are not in our character.
“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country. As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime.
“Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of immorality. The IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and responsible members. For close to four decades now, it has conducted its activities in the most civilized manner and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.
“We are forced to believe that the government and its Army are resorting to these vicious campaigns in desperation.
“Finally, we would like to use this platform to echo our call on the government and its Army to own up to their crimes and release the revered leader of the Movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and other members unconditionally.”
Eze Afrika
