The House of Representative Tuesday rejected calls for the release of Ibrahim El Zakzaki, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites.
This is as the House threw out amendment by Herman Hembe (APGA, Benue) that the Federal Government should obey Court orders and release El Zakzaky, and another by Linda Ipeazu (PDP, Abia) that the Kaduna State Government should also obey the Court order to release the Islamic Cleric while considering a motion of urgent importance.
These amendments caused a row at the plenary and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila directed that the House be divided into two according to those in support and those against the release of El Zakzaki. But when it became obvious that those in support outnumbered those against, the House went into executive session.
However, after the executive session, the amendments were completely discarded while an ad-hoce Committee headed by Alhassan Doguwa, House Majority Leader, was constituted to liaise with the executive on how to resolve the Shi’ites issue and end the incessant attacks.
The Green Chamber of the National Assembly also summoned Security Chiefs to appear before it to find out ways of solving the challenges of insecurity in the country.
It resolved that an ad-hoc committee be constituted to investigate, make recommendations and report back to the House Within one (1) week for further legislative actions.
Mohammed Shamsudeen-Bello (APC, Kano) sponsor of the motion in his debate noted that, “on the 22nd of July 2019 and several other dates before now, the members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite) have done and threaten to do an act preparatory to and or in furtherance of an act of terrorism including destabilization and destroying of public utilities, attack on security personnel such as the Nigerian police and Civil Defence Corps.
“This act seriously intimidates the population of Abuja as well as its environs and also damages or intends to damage the corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such violent and unlawful assembly becomes sporadic and leads to the loss of lives and properties. The Nigerian Police Force appeared incapable to tame it as a result of colossal violence of the members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite).
“Hence, the need to direct the Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to initiate the proscription of the IMN and or declare the assembly unlawful in Nigeria. The incident of the 22nd day of July 2019 is disheartening, especially as it led to the death of a Deputy Commissioner of Police as reported by The Nigeria lawyer’ an electronic media outfit”, he said.
Shamsudeen-Bello further noted that “the Nigerian Police Force is primarily established for the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order as well as protection of lives and properties in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja.
“The Provisions of such services is one of the responsibilities of the Nigerian Police Force in order for economic, political and social businesses to thrive in this country.
“The House has made appropriate budgetary funding to the Nigerian Police Force to tame any threat to National Security including the gathering of intelligence. The House passed, ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Act 201 land Penal Code Law as applicable to FCT and the Northern region of this country. In particular, Section 100 sub (1) declared unlawful assembly of any persons whose Common object is by means of criminal force or show of criminal force to enforce any rights or supposed right.
“The members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite) cannot under any guise of protest engage in bloodshed or violence as well as the destruction of economic activities which seriously intimidate the population sovereignty of the nation. This activity has been reported widely by both print and electronic media and is a cause of concern for both the national and international community.
“The continuous violent blood protest by members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite) negates the corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That if urgent steps are not taken to proscribe Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ite) or declare their assembly unlawful in Nigeria, the Group may likely arm itself and turn a deadly Group like Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Boko Haram.”
