News reaching ViewPointNigeria indicates that Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has banned the activities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, otherwise known as Shi’ites in Plateau state.

This followed Wednesday’s religious disturbance, where members alleged to be Sunnis launched an attack on a religious building said to be the worship centre of Shiites in the Angwan Rogo area of Jos North.

The Sunni youths not only attacked the building, but also attacked members of the sect who were said to be celebrating the annual Ashura  festival, marking the death of a grandson of Prophet Mohammed. It was during this attack that the youths demolished the sect’s Hussaniyya (worship centre)

Following this disturbance, Governor Lalong in a press release signed by the Secretary of the State Government, Mr. Rufus Bature – strongly condemned the disturbance and then made pronouncements to the effect that activities of the sect could no longer be tolerated in the state. In closing, he said that the ban was a necessary step to forestall the breakdown of law and order and to sustain fragile peace in the state.

He warned that government would not hesitate to clamp down on any member of the group who violates this order.

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Lalong orders ban on activities of the Shiite Muslim sect on the Plateau