Kaduna bans protests, procession over leader of IMN

Ahead of the trial of detained Shiites’ leader, Sheik Ibrahim Elzakzaky, the Kaduna State Police Command, has placed a ban on protests, processions and demonstrations.

The Command’s Public Relation Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo said on Sunday in Kaduna that the Police will deal decisively with violators of the ban.
The police’s reaction is coming ahead of a High Court ruling on the application filed by Elzakzaky, seeking for bail to travel to India for medical attention.

The police said there would be massive deployment of personnel and urged the public to go about their normal businessess, but report suspicious persons promptly to avert security breach.

“Members of the public should note that the ban on all forms of processions and demonstrations in Kaduna State is still in force.

“In view of the court trial of Malam Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on Monday August 5th , the peace loving and law abiding people of Kaduna State are to note that adequate security has been put in place for a hitch-free court appearance.

” Therefore, members of the public are advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town.” he stated.

Sabo alerted motorists that there will be traffic diversions on all roads leading to the state High Court including Independence way, Bida Road and other roads leading to Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Kaduna.

“The Command wishes to notify the general public to exercise more security consciousness as they go about their lawful businesses.”

He said people should be “extra vigilant of their environment, persons around them, and activities of suspicious persons, so as to prevent miscreants from disturbing the peace of the state.

“The Command uses this medium to call on the general public to report suspicious activities or persons around them to the nearest security agency.’’

The leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a branch of Shiite Muslims, has been in custody since December 2015 after his sect members clashed with the military in Zaria, kaduna state leading to the death of more than 300 persons.

He is currently on trial for alleged culpable homicide in Kaduna state where the violent incident took place.