Security: International experts warns Nigeria against Shiites lawlessness (Photo)

An international expert on Muslim extremism, Don Pathan has warned the Nigerian authorities to act fast in designating the Islamic Movement of Nigeria a terrorist organization before it is too late.

Mr. Pathan spoke today as Guest Speaker during an international seminar organized by the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre [SHAC] which held at Abuja.

According to him, the group’s activities poses a great threat to the sovereignty and the authorities’ continuous indifference towards the sect by tolerating IMN like every other religious groups is akin to playing with a keg of gun powder.

Another speaker who spoke at the event, Dr. Oliver Tersoo Agundu a senior lecturer at the Benue State University said the IMN has gone designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations.

He emphasized that religious fundamentalism in Nigeria especially the activities of IMN have assumed a destructive dimension threatening peace and stability in Nigeria is a statement of fact that coheres to the actual state of affairs.

Dr. Agundu said the consequence of fundamentalist dynamism has created skepticism and insecurity among Nigerians, which does not only occur at the intra-group, but also at the inter-group level in the country.

The rising tide of religious fundamentalism of IMN in the face of the need for peace and development presents Nigeria as a country in dilemma and in a cross road. He said its activities and provocative actions are sources of threats to the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“The IMN as fundamentalists do not believe in individualism, liberty of personal choice or plurality of thought. They do not encourage or enter free debate, they deny others the right to express their own views freely and they cannot tolerate anything which they perceive is going against their faith.” – Dr Agundu stated. In his presentation, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji whose paper centered his topic on “Religions as a catalyst for peace building”