Unspecified numbers of Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ) otherwise known as ‘Shi’ites’ have sustained varying degrees of injuries as police fired teargas canisters to violently disperse the ‘mourners’ during a procession to mark Arbaeen Trek on Sunday in Abuja......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Members of the movement had on Sunday gathered at the Wuse Zone 3 in continuation of of the peaceful rally to commemorate and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain (AS), who was beheaded at Karbala (in present-day Iraq) in 61 AH, equivalent to 680 CE. Imam Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib (AS) is a grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and a son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sayyida Fatima bintu Muhammad (SAWA), as well as a younger brother of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS).
But the protesters got the shock of their lives when the police clamped down on them at the Wuse Market and Berger bus stop and fired teargas canisters into their midst in an attempt to disperse the placards carrying Shi’ite members.
The attack which left many of the ‘mourners’ with varying degrees of injuries before they were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for the treatments.
Some members of the group accused police of using live bullets on the harmless mourners who have gathered to mark the gruesome killing of their leaders Imam Hussain (AS) and his family.
Though this allegation cannot be independently verified and ascertained by our Correspondent as time of filing this report.
In the ensued pandemonium motorists and passersby were not spared as many of them scampered for safety to avoid being caught up in the melee.
A Senior member of the movement , Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto a statement made available to Independent Newspaper
confirmed incident and alleged that the police killed many of their members
The statement read “We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners. While trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners.
“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners.
“Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we have searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.
“The Arbeen Trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully”
However the FCT Police Command have not reacted to the incident as at the time of filing this report.