Col. Samaila Inusa
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has denied responsibility of the abduction of a Nigerian Army Colonel.
The Nigerian Army had on Sunday, confirmed the abduction of Samaila Inusa by unknown gunmen in Kaduna on Saturday night.
Thisday newspaper had on Sunday quoted an intelligence officer as
saying the abduction might be a revenge mission by the Shiite Islamic
sect against the Army over the deadly clash in Zaria last year.
However, a statement on Monday by Ibrahim Musa, the President, Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, said:
“Our attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and
mischievous claim, that looks more like a planned operation aimed at
painting the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) black, of some
‘intelligence’ report that the IMN may plan kidnap of military officers
for ransom for the release of our revered leader, His Eminence Sheikh
Ibraheem Zakzaky.
“Typically, this was followed by the alleged kidnap of an Army
officer in Kaduna with the Nigerian Army issuing statement calling on
the public to give information that would lead to the arrest of the
perpetrators. Soon, some media outlets were quick to quote these
malicious sources linking the IMN with the alleged kidnap.”
“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement
in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky
has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet
any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally
sinful and are not in our character.
“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative
ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of
crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country.
“As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all
forms of crime. Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable
for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such
acts of immorality.”
“It has conducted its activities in the most civilized manner
and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN
will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or
violence.
“It is obvious that the government and its Army are going
further with their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda
against the Movement ranging from smear documentaries on Television
networks, advertorials in daily newspapers, sponsoring fake
non-governmental organizations and engagement of some very dubious
characters to malign the IMN and its leadership, to engaging in
organized crimes and attributing same to the Movement.
“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement
in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky
has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet
any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally
sinful and are not in our character.
“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative
ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of
crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country. As a religious
body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime.
“Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for
anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts
of immorality. The IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and
responsible members. For close to four decades now, it has conducted
its activities in the most civilized manner and cannot in any way be
derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be
lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.
“We are forced to believe that the government and its Army are resorting to these vicious campaigns in desperation.
“Finally, we would like to use this platform to echo our call
on the government and its Army to own up to their crimes and release the
revered leader of the Movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and other
members unconditionally.”
The Nigeria Army had earlier on Monday promised a million naira
reward for anyone with useful information that could lead to the rescue
of Colonel Inusa.
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