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.
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