The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiite Islamic movement has accused the governments of Katsina and Plateau States of holding minors in captivity in their various domains for no just cause. The movement said all its members charged to court were arraigned on trumped up charges. It accused the governments of the states of brutality and highhandedness.

This was the kernel of a statement signed by Ibrahim Musa, the spokesman of the movement. The statement in full:

Since the attack on members of the Islamic Movement by security agents in connivance with some miscreants across some states on Wednesday 12/1/16, authorities arbitrarily arrested people and charged them to courts on trumped up charges and remanded in prison custody.

Shamelessly and quite surprisingly, the courts where those arrested were taken to, have  also remanded scores of minors in jail including the 4 year old Salamatu Yunusa, being held in Jos.

This absurdity however contrasts with what happened in Kaduna and Kano states where tens of those arrested were released on bail being minors.

It is surprising therefore why the case in Katsina and Plateau states should be different, when evidence strongly suggests that the attacks in all the states were orchestrated by a central command.

We hereby call on the authorities in these two states to release these minors who have by now unjustifiably spent about a week in jails. This is an embarrassment to the nation.

In the same vein, those who  were brutalised and injured among those in detention are yet to get proper medical attention. They are prisoners of conscience. This is unfortunate and a gross miscarriage of justice. All humanitarian laws recognize that prisoners should not be denied medical treatment. This cannot be an exception.

We also condemn in very strong words the inhuman brutality meted to IMN members by the Army in Jos for no other reason than their faith. We therefore call for their release without further delays.

IMN recognizes that the recent attack on its members by security agents in collaboration with some unemployed youths across the various states was instigated by Kaduna state Governor Elrufai. We are aware that he has even planned for Katsina state a vicious plot and model of how to attack IMN members in Katsina metropolis.

This diabolical plot involves attack whenever IMN members leave their Islamic centre for any educational program, and the opportunity to burn and raze our centre will be created and executed.

We believe el-Rufai is inciting hate with a view to minority cleansing in his self-styled war against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. He already has a case of crime against humanity, which he is frantically trying to cover. Nevertheless this will not deter us in our pursuit of justice for the victims of the Zaria massacre.

We therefore reiterate our call for the unconditional release of our Leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, his wife and all others under detention for almost a year now. Their continued detention is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights.

SIGNED BY

IBRAHIM MUSA

PRESIDENT MEDIA FORUM OF IMN