CALABAR— The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, on Tuesday, lambasted pro-Biafra groups frowning at the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shi’ites.
Recall that the Federal Government had last week obtained a court order proscribing the IMN.
An Abuja Federal High Court on Friday ordered the proscription of IMN, following their clashes with security operatives.
The Justice Nkeonye Maha-led court designated the activities of IMN organisation in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”
Against this backdrop, some pro-Biafra groups had condemned the proscription of the Islamic movement.
However, BNYL said it was a “cowardice act” for any pro-Biafra agitator to leave issues facing the South East to voice out for the Shia Muslims.”
BNYL’s spokesperson, Kufre Obot stated this while addressing newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State on Tuesday in a statement sent to our correspondent.
Obot said the position of the group remains neutral, stressing that the issues in the Northern region should not bother the Easterners.
He said: “This is a group that may turn to another sect if something urgent is not done about it, remember how Boko Haram started.
“It started just like Shia movement by demanding of Islamic State it then emanates into the killing of Christians before turning to a general disaster.
“We are yet to understand what the Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims want, what kind of Sharia both are fighting for and against, but some cowards in the East have written a history of Shia Muslims trying to breach their gap with Christians, what makes them think that Shi’ites are different from others?
“I have never seen any statement from Shi’ites condemning FG actions on Pro Biafrans neither have I read where they said their struggle is in the benefit of both Christians and Muslims.”
Stressing that if there is any condemnation from any region against Shi’ites proscription, it shouldn’t be from the East, BNYL said: “We have no business there and those doing that are doing for political interest.
“I think some Biafra groups lacks direction, it is because they talk a lot that is why they comment at anything that doesn’t concerns them, we are only making a mockery of ourselves supporting Shi’ites in the public.”
Obot also pointed out that “Miyetti Allah, Shia Muslims, and Boko Harams are all talking about religion.”
