Ten arrested as Shi’ites claim police kill four in clash with Islamic group in Kano state

Police authorities in Kano have arrested 10 members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in connection with Sunday’s clash between Shi’ite members and Nigerian Police Force in the state.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, Magaji Musa Majia, the arrested Shi’ite members comprised five females and five males, who would soon be arraigned in court for prosecution.

According to the statement, police had also recovered eight catapults, stones, one poisonous Arrow, Red flag, copies of pamphlets, three mobile phones, shoes, wallet and a rosary from the protesting Shi’ites during the clashed.

“Prior to the clash, the police had summoned the IMN’s leaders to the Police Headquarters Bompai Kano on Friday 22, 2017 and warned them not to initiate any form of trek or procession in Kano, as it infringes the rights of others.

“The movement ignored our warning and went ahead with their procession. Not only holding the procession, but also blocked roads, thereby causing untold hardship to other members of the public. The IMN also invited members from various states including Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi and other neighboring states for the procession along Zaria Road Kano where they were molesting motorists and pelting innocent members of the public with stones.

Contrary to the police statement, in a swift reaction, the spokesman of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement, said the police killed four members of the movement during the clash.

He said the victims include Umar Bako Gano, Aisha Muhammad Azare and Husaini Dauda Naladi while the fourth victim could not be identified.

In his words, “our people concluded their trek today at Lado overhead bridge and about to disperse that mobile policemen arrived at the scene and started firing teargas canisters at the crowd and eventually live bullets. A muslim brother and sister were confirmed killed in the process and their corpses taken by their attackers. Many others were reportedly injured.”

Musa lamented that the clash was uncalled for, as according to him the procession was peaceful but armed policemen were drafted to stop the annual Arba’een trek.

The Police Command on its part said they will continue to preserve the constitutionally reserved rights to religion but will not allow some miscreants to hide under the guise of religion and infringe or cause mischief to other citizens. Any attempt by the IMN (Shiites) to make Kano State hub of their illegal activities will be vehemently resisted by the Kano State Police Command.

However normalcy had been restored, while intensive patrols and monitoring are ongoing, as the command wishes to inform the general public that the press release issued by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Kano was baseless, mischievous and aimed at diverting the attention of the populace and gain cheap sympathy.