The State Security Service, SSS, has raised an alarm that members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, will start kidnapping security personnel, an internal memo obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN has shown.
The alleged plan to start the kidnapping may not be unconnected with the prolonged detention of their spiritual leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Part of the memo read: “Members of the Shiites religious sect have renewed plans to commence the kidnap of security agencies and their families in reaction to the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim EL-ZAKZAKY and other members of the sect.
“To this effect, members are being sensitised to commence the identification of homes and business places of security operatives and their family members.”
Recall that members of the group have recently been clashing with security forces as they staged protests to press home their demand for the release of their leader, who has been in detention since December 12, 2015, following the group’s clash with the military.
The clash left hundreds of the Shiite members dead.
Ever since, the group has turned violent against the Nigerian police with many casualties.
Recently, in Kaduna, the group were seen carrying guns and explosive devices attacking and injuring police officers deployed to prevent crime and keep peace in the state
However, the SSS does not have spokesman since 2015.
But when contacted by DAILY NIGERIAN, the spokesman of the group, Ibraheem Musa, denied the claim, saying that it was a mere allegation.
“It is not our habit and we have never contemplated that.
“The SSS may have something in mind for coming up with such ‘dubious’ allegation.
