A leaked secret memo by the National headquarter of Department of State Services (DSS) reveals the remarkable queer hatred the security outfit bears against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria IMN as well as the profound ignorance of its so-called intelligence officers when it comes to anything pertaining to the Movement.

In a memo DSS/DR.I/17/11/04 dated 4^th November, 2017 and tagged “Daily Information Summary”, the DSS rightly observed that “Shiites intensify campaign for release of their national leader, El Zakzaky”, but then goofed widely as it erroneously but mischievously said that the leadership of the group has “directed its members nationwide to arm themselves in readiness for possible confrontation with security forces.” The misleading memo said that IMN has been mobilizing its members for an event, which they claimed would be in two batches to be held simultaneously from Kano to Zaria and also from Zaria to Abuja.

Referring to our just concluded Annual ArbaeenTrekNigeria, the DSS misleadingly wrote that it is characterized by violent clashes with other security agencies or innocent citizens. This however contradicts reality as the annual trek since its inception had always been very peaceful. Even in 2015 after the DSS sent two “suicide bombers” to detonate their lethal load along the Kano axis resulting in the death of scores of IMN members only a few days before the brutal attacks of Zaria, the trek proceeded and ended peacefully.

Contrary to the claim by the DSS in the memo that IMN is desperate to target security forces as a revenge for perceived injustice against our members, we have never employed any violent method to seek redress for all the two years of brazen persecution by the security forces including killing and maiming thousands of our members. We challenge them to bring single evidence where IMN targeted any security outfit ever. Rather, the IMN has embarked on massive peaceful processions and the use of the legal system.

The memo ended by noting the resolve of IMN to continue its campaign against the Federal Government and its law enforcement agencies which they said may persist in the coming weeks ahead. It said that they will collaborate with other security agencies to “frustrate” our plans. It will be recalled that the National Security Adviser had similarly misinformed the National Economic Council some time back that the activities of the IMN are among their government’s serious security challenges, which according to his laughable assertion was sequel to “evaluation of intelligence reports.” The successful and peaceful completion of the Ashura processions that held in more than sixty different towns across the country and the success of the Arbaeen trek in spite of the upsurge of persecution however have put to shame the Nigerian government and all its security agencies, who are harbingers of doom with their so-called “intelligence reports.”

Certainly, IMN will not relent in following all lawful ways to ensure Sheikh Zakzaky and all those still being illegally detained by DSS and all the other government agencies are unconditionally released. IMN will also not cede any of the rights and freedoms of its members, irrespective of the amount of blackmail and severe persecution.