The International Centre for Justice, ICJ, (Africa Regional Affairs) has condemned the recent activities of the Islamic Movement In Nigeria (IMN) of attacking security agents, innocent citizens as well as destruction of properties.
Mark Omita, Vice President (Africa Affairs) of the group in a statement issued in Addis Ababa on Tuesday stated that IMN recent acts have moved it from the an organization protesting for rights restoration to one that can officially be designated a terrorist group, and to the extent that it receives resources from Iran across borders, qualifies it as an international terrorist organization.
ICJ, therefore, urged the Federal Government to rise to its responsibility of protecting law-abiding citizens, as their lives are no less in value to that of someone that decided to become a terrorist.
Part of the Statement reads “The activities of IMN, whether freely of the volition of its members or tele-guided by Iran, is a danger to Africa’s most populous nation and the West-African sub-region, which is already fragile as country governments strive to get rid of terrorist groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin and Northern Mali.
“This latest attack adds a new layer of concern to the apprehension previously expressed about the worsening activities of IMN in Nigeria, which had accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of sponsoring the group’s activities.
“This has effectively moved IMN from the band of an organization protesting for rights restoration to one that can officially be designated a terrorist group, and to the extent that it receives resources from Iran across borders it qualifies as an international terrorist organization.
“Irrespective of the support IMN is getting as identified, the duty of safeguarding the life and property of citizens falls on government and the authorities in Nigeria cannot abdicate this responsibility on the excuse or pretext of complying with international protocols. The life of a law-abiding citizen is no less in value to that of someone that elected to become a terrorist. The government of the Federal Government of Nigeria must, therefore, do all that is necessary to protect its population, including those working in law enforcement, from IMN attacks.”