Shi’ites, also called Islamic Movement of Nigeria, which started their trek from Kofar Mazugal in Kano about 10am, stopped Kofar, Nasarawa, in the afternoon for prayers.
According to an eyewitness, the Shi’ites members were intercepted by policeman along Lado bridge on Zaria road and fired teargas and live bullets at them.
Apart from the two reported dead, scores were said to have sustained injury in the attack.
The incident was confirmed by the IMN Media Forum President, Ibrahim Musa, saying that police killed two of his members.His words: “The mobile police arrived just when the police were scattering our members, and fired teargas, and subsequently live bullets which killed a Muslim brother and sister. The police also took their dead body away. Many people were also reportedly injured.
“When news spread that mobile police had laid siege to the Arbaeen trekkers in the outskirts of Kano, a London-based human rights group, IHRC, issued a press statement, calling for restraint on the part of the police authorities.
“We are deeply concerned at reports of this build-up given the past attacks on the Islamic Movement by the police and armed forces. The IHRC demand the Nigeria police and authorities to de-escalate the situation immediately.
A leader of IMN , Dr. Sanusi Abdulqadir, has called on members to return home peacefully, but to continue marching tomorrow to Zaria
Reacting to the incident, the Kano State Police Command representative, DSP Magaji Musa Majia, denied police any member of the IMN, said they have been advised not to embark on the planned trek, owing to the current security challenges in the country
Musa also security men were deployed to the scene to ensure security of live and in a bid to disperse them, which called for the use of teargas.
No comments