Zaria residents, others testify against group

Prof. Bala during a presentation on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the Commission of Enquiry set up by Kaduna State Government seeking to look into a clash between the December 2015 clash between the Nigeria Army and Shiites group.

Prof. Bala applauded the Nigerian Army over what he described as ‘efforts at subverting the activities of the IMN,’ said the intervention and conduct of the military was timely and professional.

During its proceedings, residents of Zaria, represented by ZEMDA, said the activities of the sect were making them uncomfortable.

At the hearings the commission took testimonies presentations from erudite Islamic scholars, residents and other stakeholders who described Zakzaky's brand of religion as anti-Islamic.

Even though the Shiites have opted out of the commission, some testifiers said IMN beliefs and teachings go contrary to the dictates of the Quran adding that they are “more of a terrorist organization than any religion in the world.”

Also speaking before the Commission, Muhammed Balarabe, a popular cleric from Zaria Emirate criticized the activities of the IMN.

He also narrated a typical incident to the commission where he was held in traffic for more than six hours just to get access to his residence.

The cleric thus commended the Army for their conduct and professionalism exhibited by the troops during the crisis and while also pledging his organisation's continued support to the Nigerian Army.

Among those who hailed the actions of the military while berating members of the Shiite group include the Coalition of Muslim Ulamas which was represented by Engr. Bashir Adamu Aliyu.

In his own testimony, he described the activities of the IMN as evil, explaining that the doctrine of the IMN contradicted the teachings of Islam and therefore called on the government to do something very urgent before the situation gets out of hand.

He further tendered some video clips which showed how El-Zakzaky and his wife at different forums had called for total revolution against the government. The clips were tendered as exhibit.

However as most witnesses testified against the IMN, condemning it, Prof. Dahiru Yahaya, a lecturer with the Bayero University, in his presentation seemed to share the doctrine and ideology of the sect.

He testified in favour of El-Zakzaky and his followers. He seems to share the doctrine and ideology of the IMN and may be a potential member of the Shiite Islamic Movement.