Borno State government has banned members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria aka Shi’ites and other religious bodies from holding any
procession in the state. This directive is contained in a statement
released Monday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Usman
Jidda Shuwa. According to the state government, the move became
necessary so that the relative peace and security in the state can be
sustained. The statement in part reads:
“As part of efforts to ensure the sustainability of the current
appreciable degree of peace and security in the state, the Borno State
Government, as part of its statutory obligations, has put in place a
number of stringent measures to improve the situation and forestall any
likely breach of law and order within the framework of extant security
guidelines.
One of such measures is that as from Saturday 19th November, 2016, all
processions, under any guise or form and whether by individuals, groups
or organizations are hereby banned,” Shuwa said.
Stressing that any attempt at violating the ban will be met with full
force of the law. The ban, which for now will be in place for an
indefinite period of time, would be reviewed from time to time based on
adequate security assessment and advice,” he further said, adding:
“Adequate security measures have been instituted to ensure sufficient
surveillance and adequate monitoring of all major streets and public
structures by security forces. Members of the public are advised to
cooperate with the security agents and support the measure as the state
government is relentlessly committed to the pursuit of full restoration
of sustainable peace and security in the state,” the SSG said.