A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has asked the Federal Government to enter into dialogue with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites.
Falana made the call in a statement on Tuesday in reaction to the violent clash between the police and Shiites in the nation’s capital Abuja.
“Since the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of religion and freedom of expression are recognised by the Constitution of Nigeria, we urge the federal government to enter into dialogue with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria with a view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis between the Sunnis and Shiites,” he said.
Falana, who is also the counsel to Shiite leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, however, condemned the violent protest which led to the loss of innocent lives.
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He also sympathized with the bereaved families of the deceased, calling on the Federal Government to obey all court orders.
“Just as we condemned the brutal massacre of hundreds of Shiites by the army in the past, we also condemn the avoidable death of the police officer and the channels’ reporter as well as others during the protests. we deeply sympathise with the bereaved family members of the deceased,” he said.
His comments follow the violent protest between the Shiite members and police personnel in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The protest claimed the lives of a Channels Television reporter, Precious Owolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the FCT Command, Usman Umar, among several others.
