The Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as Shi’ites has rejected the insurgency tag given to the group by the Kaduna State government.

The government in a White Paper labelled the sect an insurgency group.

The police had also banned the group from further procession in the state.

But in a statement signed by its media officer, Ibrahim Musa, the group vehemently rejected the the insurgency label on it.

The statement read in part, “We wish to strongly reject such unjustified tagging of the IMN. For the avoidance of doubts, we would like the World to know that we have never and do not even contemplate taking up arms against anyone. Our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has, over the four decades of the existence of the Movement, taken a non-violent posture and has repeatedly said guns and other weapons are the tools of the insane.

“In all this time, our weapons have been truth, perseverance, sacrifice and a firm belief that no force or weapons can crush the truth no matter how powerful it appears. That has been the secret of the IMN remaining non-violent throughout the harrowing experience of the Zaria massacre. Not even the kangaroo Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Kaduna state government could nail the Movement with this mischievous accusation of carrying or stock-piling arms, simply because there are none.

“Any pronouncement that appears to make call for use of arms and retaliation is not in line with the peaceful nature of Sheikh Zakzaky’s Islamic activities. It can also be a belated and malicious response to the Judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja that ordered for the release of our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.”

Azeez