Original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday warned members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shiites to desist from disturbing peace in the Territory or risk confrontation.
The natives, under the aegis of Coalition of Abuja Indigenous Association (CAIA), described the recent protest by the group as constituting a nuisance in the society and warned that if the government failed to take decisive steps to tackle the group, it might escalate.
In an interview with newsmen, the group’s spokesman, Comrade Yunusa Yusuf, noted that the Shi’ites sect should organize themselves in a venue, just as it was the case with the “Bring Back Our Girls” protest, rather than engaging in the disruption of peace as well as destruction of properties. He warned the Federal Government to put a stop to the activities of the group within 48 hours or expect action from the natives.
“We are disturbed by the recent protest by Shi’ites movement to the National Assembly which turned violent and left many residents with various degrees of injuries and destruction of property. We are sad because the Shi’ites group is not the only aggrieved group in this country. We the indigenous people of Abuja are equally aggrieved over so many issues ranging from ministerial slot and deliberate marginalization of our people.
“We did not take the laws into our hands, but we have conducted ourselves peacefully even in the face of provocation by security agents. Therefore, we do not see any reason why certain group will disrupt the peace of our land. At this point, we are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to end the Shiites protests or we might do it our own way.”