The Islamic Movement in Nigeria on Monday vehemently denied responsibility for the abduction of a Nigerian Army Colonel.

The Nigerian Army had on Sunday confirmed the kidnap of one of its senior officers, Col. Smaila Inusa, by unknown gunmen in Kaduna State on Saturday night.

THISDAY yesterday claimed to have spoken to a reliable intelligence officer quoting a Presidential source, expressing concern that the kidnap might be a revenge mission by the Shiite Islamic sect against the Army over the clash in Zaria last year.

A statement by Ibrahim Musa, President Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, on Monday, however said: “Our attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and mischievous claim, that looks more like a planned operation aimed at painting the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) black, of some ‘intelligence’ report that the IMN may plan kidnap of military officers for ransom for the release of our revered leader, His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

“Typically, this was followed by the alleged kidnap of an Army officer in Kaduna with the Nigerian Army issuing statement calling on the public to give information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Soon, some media outlets were quick to quote these malicious sources linking the IMN with the alleged kidnap.”

He added: “We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally sinful and are not in our character.

“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country.

“As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime. Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of immorality.”

Musa said that IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and responsible members which close to four decades now, “it has conducted its activities in the most civilised manner and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.

“It is obvious that the government and its Army are going further with their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda against the Movement ranging from smear documentaries on Television networks, advertorials in daily newspapers, sponsoring fake non-governmental organisations and engagement of some very dubious characters to malign the IMN and its leadership, to engaging in organised crimes and attributing same to the Movement.

“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally sinful and are not in our character.

“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country. As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms of crime.

“Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of immorality. The IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and responsible members. For close to four decades now, it has conducted its activities in the most civilised manner and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.

“We are forced to believe that the government and its Army are resorting to these vicious campaigns in desperation.

“Finally, we would like to use this platform to echo our call on the government and its Army to own up to their crimes and release the revered leader of the Movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and other members unconditionally.”

•Photo shows the abducted Col. Smaila Inusa.