The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) widely known as the Shi’ite group, has stated the police is allegedly hiding the corpses of its Shi’ite members who were allegedly killed due to a violent confrontation that erupted during the Shiite group procession in Abuja, on Friday
Shiite alleged that six of its members were killed, while about 380 Shi’ite members including women and children, were arrested and detained by the police.
NaijaEyes reports that members of the Shi’ite movement and soldiers clashed during a procession marking the International Quds Day in Abuja on Friday.
Read story here:https://naijaeyesblog.com/crime/shots-shiite-group-soldiers-clash/
Josephine Adeh, the FCT police command spokesperson in a statement revealed that some Shi’ite members became violent. Adeh accused the members of violating the law and attacking security personnel, stating they were armed with all manner of weapons including; firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs.
Adeh explained that the confrontation became intense and led to a gunfire, leaving two security operatives badly injured and one confirmed dead on arrival at the National Hospital in Abuja.
According to the FCT Police command spokesperson, 19 arrests were made in connection with the incident while others managed to escape.
While addressing press men on Saturday in Abuja, the IMN Resource Forum led by Professor Abdullahi Danladi, accused the security agents of hiding the bodies of Shi’ite members who were killed in the clash, dismissing the police claims that its members were armed.
Danladi said, “The police might have said they arrested 19 of our members but reliable information confirmed that the Guard Brigade and the police have arrested 380 protesters, including women and children, and six people were confirmed martyred.
“Those arrested are being detained at SARS Abbator, Guzape, Abuja, and those that reached martyrdom include Shaheed Ibraheem Dalhat (Sharif Albani), Shaheed Nasir Abubakar, Shaheed Abdulaziz Abubakar, and Shaheed Auwal Abbas Bichi among others.
“However, the security agents are hiding casualties and other corpses of those who passed away in unknown places, thus, the number of casualties and corpses with the Guard Brigade and the police are still unknown. Nevertheless, we will update the public in due course.”
“They said we came with dangerous weapons; they have every reason to say what they want to say to defend their crimes. But it is a known fact that the IMN had been carrying out our activities over 40 years. Whenever we gather, we gather and disperse peacefully but it only when the police or security operatives attack us that you hear about casualties.
“We don’t kill or injure security operatives. In fact, it is not in our character rather we fight for their rights and that of the citizens. We don’t kill or injure anybody, we make life easier for everybody.”
Still speaking, Danladi demanded the immediate release of the detained members and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of their members.
Despite the government’s ban on their movement, Professor Danladi argued that this doesn’t justify the alleged killings of their members by security forces could not be justified.
On the other hand, Adeh demanded for evidence of their claims. She expressed concern that despite being banned, the group continues to launch attack on security agents without provocation, stating that this will no longer be condoned.
The FCT police command Spokesperson, Adeh said, “The Shiite group is proscribed; therefore, their activities are illegal. Members of this group are always armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs and are known for attacking security agents without provocation. This will no longer be tolerated. As for the casualties they claim, let them provide proof.”
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
