Niger state government had decided to evict the Madinatu Mahhaedenu Hamdallah sect in Lapai was not an operation meant to victimize or violate the constitutional rights of those affected members but was based on security report on their activities.
The position was contained in a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger state governor, Mr. Israel A. Ebije yesterday in Minna insisting that the decision of the state government was based on security report on the activities of the sect, which was capable of igniting security challenge in the state.
According to CPS to the governor, the politicization of the matter is unfortunate and an act capable of encouraging the spread of sectarian groups that have octane-loaded propensity to ignite problem in the society.
He said the need to react on the eviction of the sect is based on a published reaction by a coalition group based in Kaduna questioning rationale behind the eviction. He said the group has only acted ignorantly on the matter.
He noted that the sect aside its un-Islamic preaching’s was beginning to challenge the authority of the Emir of Lapai, a development unacceptable to the people and capable of causing trouble. He also added that the condition of members of the sect in their makeshift camp was not hygienic and could lead to life threatening epidemic.
