The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has countered claims by the Police in Kaduna that their members have hijacked the peaceful protest in the state and turned it into violence.
Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan has earlier said IMN members hijacked the protest turning it violent where stones were thrown, and Tyres were burnt at the Kaduna State Government House.
Hassan who spoke to Arise TV alleged that IMN members attempted to invade the Government House.
“The intelligence we gather now is that we have seen a lot of IMN members. We received information about their movement and you know they are proscribed organizations and since they were proscribed, they are looking for any advantage to create any violence”.
“They started coming from the back of the Government House and through the front of the government house. They have started burning tyres, stoning our officers, look at how they destroyed our armed personnel car, stoning us, look at our personnel they are injured”, Hassan said.
IMN Not Involved
However, a source close to the leadership of the movement in Zaria, Mustapha Muhammed, told WikkiTimes that the IMN members did not take part in the protest as the police were just trying to cover their mess.
According to him, he witnessed the protest and did not see any member of the organization.
He debunked allegations of their participation, saying even during their procession, IMN never fought security agencies until they were attacked by them.
“I didn’t see any IMN members during these protests in all the places I have covered, it is common people that participated in it.
“IMN members never throw stones at security agencies even during our Muzahara(processions) until they are attacked by the security agencies.This end hunger protest is purely organized by the people of Kaduna and IMN members didn’t participate”, explained Mustapha.
WikkiTimes gathered that at least one police officer has been injured while an armoured personnel vehicel has been damaged by the protesters in the state.
