Leaders of the Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky-led Shi’ites group, otherwise known as Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has raised the alarm over alleged plan by Malam Nasir el-Rufai’s administration to demolish 48 structures belonging to the Movement across Kaduna State.
Speaking with journalists on the development in Kaduna, Yunusa Lawal, along with other leaders, said the planned demolition was not only illegal, but vindictive, as the only reason given by the government was that IMN has been banned.
Lawal said though the Islamic Movement was yet to receive any Notice of Demolition from Kaduna State Government or any of its agencies, it stumbled on a leaked memo, where the Director General of Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), Ismail Umaru-Dikko, was seeking approval of Governor el-Rufai to carry out the demolition.
According to the Shi’ites leader, “We are constrained by the memo to address you, arising from the premeditated attempt/approval given to carry out the demolition exercise. ..”
“It is baffling to note the manner and timing of the proposed exercise!”
Could it be part of Mr. Dikko’s severance package?! The DG, KASUPDA and his cohorts should know that their intention to destroy people’s property and structures is evil and could be consequential sooner or later!
“It is noticed from the memo, 48 structures belonging to the Islamic movement is earmarked for demolition across the state; 1,860 security personnel will be involved and N20,253,500 will be the cost of the demolition exercise. The sinister motive is to, particularly clamp down on the Islamic movement once again.
“It is, therefore, disheartening to observe that the main purpose of this demolition exercise it to again subjugate and oppress members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. We view this as an act of provocation and suppression that tantamount to the infringement of our fundamenta human rights as citizens and indigenes of Kaduna State.
“From the memo, the acronym ‘IM’ is alien to the Islamic Movement under the leadership of Allamah, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakkaky (H) and members of the movement have their various hard earned property and structures, as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We are aware, throughout the eight- year tenure of el-Rufai’s stewardship, he had no regard for the rule of law…
“Furthermore, we would like to seize this opportunity to call on the government to release the International Passport of our leader, Sayid, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and that of his wife, Malama Zeenatudeen Ibrahim, without further delay to enable them seek medical treatment abroad. We also demand for the release of hundreds of our members that are in detention centres across the country,” Lawal said.
