The Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEDA) yesterday testified against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise called the Shi’ite.
It said the movement terrorised the emirate for years.
Spokesman for ZEDA Mohammed Balarabe, who appeared before the Judicial Commission of Enquiry in Kaduna, narrated how the movement terrorised the emirate.
He said the group took the law into its hands and shut roads while holding processions.
Balarabe said whenever the movement had outings, they (people of Zaria emirate) were forced to stay indoors.
He said the last December 12 clash between the IMN and the Army was not the first, noting that the group is violent.
The ZEDA spokesman cited instances when the body had encounters with the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris and ex-Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.
He recalled that the movement had encounters with previous administrations.
Balarabe said the Shi’ite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his followers were not members of ZEDA, adding that they refused to register with the association.
Said he: “We are familiar with the movement’s actions in the 20 years of its existence. As someone who attended the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, we know where the shoe pinches.
“Whenever we heard they had outings, we stayed away because it would bring hardship. They shut roads.”
