One confirmed dead, many injured as police, Shiites clash again in Kaduna

Technocrat Media, Kaduna

Again, the Police and the members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly called ‘Shiites’ have clashed in Kaduna.

According to Daily Trust, one person has been confirmed dead and many others injured during the clash on Friday.

The incident occurred while the group was on a procession to mark the annual Quds day, which usually takes place with a procession on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan to protest against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

The procession turned violent when security operatives stationed along major roads in Kaduna and Zaria tried to disperse members of the group.

Eyewitnesses claimed security agents had used teargas and live ammunition at the members of the group while some Shi’ites had set ablaze several vehicles in Zaria.

Aliyu Umar, the IMN Amir in Kaduna, told Daily Trust that the annual Quds day is a global event and commemorated even in western countries and wondered why they are frequently haunted by security operatives when marking the day in Nigeria.

Umar said the procession was peaceful and had tried to avoid the police who were already stationed in a strategic position to block. “But they trailed from behind and used teargas and live bullets on our members. One person was shot dead, we have just held the Janazah prayers and nine sustained bullet wounds,” he said.

He also added that the police had arrested about eight members of the group and denied allegations that a police station had been burnt and that the Shi’ites had set ablaze vehicles.

The Kaduna State police command did not respond to inquiries on what transpired with the Shi’ites but a senior police officer who doesn’t want his name mentioned told the Daily Trust correspondent that members of the proscribed sect had embarked on an unlawful procession and disturbances of public and disobedience to a lawful order.

“Their expected disobedience,” the police had employed the use of minimal force while the action of the Shi’ites had resulted in damage to public and private property. “We arrested 14 members of the proscribed group and the Commissioner of Police, YekiniAdio Ayoku has directed that the suspects be investigated and charged to court,” he said.