Shiites condemn police for attacking procession in Kaduna, Sokoto

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) yesterday condemned police attack on a procession to free Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky in Sokoto and Kaduna states.

The groups also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to obey court verdict and release the Shiites leader from detention.

A statement by the IMN spokesman, Ibarhim Musa, said the processions by the Shiites ended peacefully except in Kaduna and Sokoto but armed policemen attacked the peaceful protesters.

“In Kaduna metropolis, a contingent of well armed policemen were drafted to the scene of the peaceful protest along the Ahmadu Bello way and opened fire on the unarmed protesters using live bullets and teargas.

“Luckily, there was no loss of life reported but dozens sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The same scenario played out in Sokoto, where the security men arrived after the peaceful protest had ended and participants were already leaving the scene of the procession.

“Nevertheless, the policemen were bent on attacking the people. They proceeded to the Centre of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, carted away motorcycles left behind by some of the protesters and made some arrests,” he said.

Musa argued that the Buhari’s government has escalated its hostility towards the Islamic Movement since the Zaria genocide of December 2015, adding that under PMB-led administration, the lives of Shi’a Muslims in Nigeria seem to have no value.

“We have seen the systematic state-backed persecution and extermination of the Shi’a adherents in Nigeria,” the group said.

They condemn the disruptions of Shi’a processions by the military and the police anywhere in the country, adding that the constant attacks on their members amounted to injustice and a breach of their fundamental rights.