Nigeria’s government outlawed a Shi’ite Muslim group whose adherents protested for their imprisoned leader’s release, accusing the group of inciting violence.
Over the previous week, at least 20 members of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement have died during a series of demonstrations that showed little sign of diminishing to put pressure on the Nigerian government.
Nigerian police reacted to the protests with teargas and gunfire, and on Saturday a court granted consent for the government to label the group as a terrorist organization.
The group, the largest Shi’ite organization in Nigeria, may appeal the decision. Its participants marched in the capital Abuja calling for the release of leader Ibrahim Zakzaky who, despite a court order to release him, has been in custody since 2015.
He was detained when about 350 of his supporters were shot and killed by the military at his compound and a neighboring mosque and burial ground in northern Kaduna state. On Monday, a court Kaduna is set to decide on Zakzaky’s bail application.
A spokesperson for the Shi’ite group said in a declaration that it had not seen any official notification of a ban and accused the government of attempting to prevent the release of its leader.
The Nigerian Presidency said in a tweet that it had only banned criminal conduct and that Shi’ites were free to observe procedures such as daily prayers and pilgrimages to Mecca.
“The proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion,” the presidency said in a tweet.
The Presidency says the proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) July 28, 2019
