KATSINA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Interim leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, Shiek Yakubu Yahaya, said the group is not a terrorist organisation and has no link with terrorists.
Yahaya who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Katsina, also denied reports that the group is running a parallel government in the country.
The IMN leader was reacting to statements from a group from Gyallesu in Zaria, Kaduna State which had called for the disbanding of the movement.
According to reports, the spokesperson for the Gyallesu group had alleged that the movement had held people of Zaria and its environs hostage with impunity.
It also said the moment should be disbanded as it had killed or maimed residents while carrying out their activities without regard for constituted authority.
But the IMN leader denied such claims, maintaining that the movement has no links with Boko Haram or any group with similar activities.
He said the movement is out to preach Islam in a non-violent way, and that anyone linking the group with terrorism is saying anything but the truth.
Yahaya said throughout the history of the group, there has never been a time it had taken up arms against anyone, and that even non-Muslims have identified with its cause.
He described as propaganda, reports that the group is violent in nature, and that it is laughable to say it had gathered weapons to fight the state.
On the whereabouts of its leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-zakzaky, Yahaya said security operatives are yet to allow them see him, but that there is hope they would soon see him.
He however said the group believes its leader is in a critical condition, hence they have not been allowed to see him.
He said the group has hired lawyers to assist on the issue and that there are plans to go to the International Court of Justice to seek redress.
Meanwhile, pastors of the ECWA church in the state, have visited the IMN interim leader to sympathise with him over the incident that occurred in Zaria about 17 days ago.
The pastors who prayed that such should not occur again, quoted several verses of the Bible that speak on forgiveness, love and peaceful coexistence.
Credit: National Mirror (Nigeria)
