A violent clash between members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) known as Shi’ites, and the security operatives in Kaduna have reportedly left one dead.
The incident reportedly happened when the Shi’ites were moving along the road of Kaduna in a procession to mark the annual Quds Day, which they hold on the last Friday of Ramadan to protest against Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The situation was said to have turned violent when the security men deployed to strategic locations in Zaria and Kaduna attempted to stop the procession and disperse the group with tear gas and live ammunition.
The IMN Amir in Kaduna, Aliyu Umar, who spoke with reporters on the incident, queried the presence of the security agents in an event set aside for the annual Quds day, which he said was recognized globally.
According to him, the procession was peaceful, saying their members had tried to avoid the police as they tried to block them.
He said: “But they trailed us 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. The also police arrested about eight members of our group.
Meanwhile, a source in Kaduna State Police Command has disclosed to journalists that fourteen persons have been arrested over the incident.
Preferring not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the incident, the source said the Commissioner of Police, Yekini Adio Ayoku, has directed that the suspects be investigated and charged to court.
He said the Shi’ites would be charged for an unlawful procession, disturbances of public and disobedience to lawful order.
He said: “In an attempt to prevent their expected disobedience, the police had employed the use of minimal force while the action of the Shi’ites had resulted to damage of public and private property.
“We arrested 14 members of the proscribed group and the Commissioner of Police, Yekini Adio Ayoku, has directed that the suspects be investigated and charged to court.”
