“Police kill many of our members duriing peaceful Arba’een trek” – Shi’ite

The leadership of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, has alleged that the police attacked the peaceful Arba’een symbolic trek in Wuse, Abuja, killing and injuring many of the mourners.

Earlier, Police had accused the IMN of carrying out an unprovoked attack on its personnel, killing two policemen and critically injuring three others, who are currently in the hospital battling for life.

It should be recalled that the Shi’ites held the Arba’een walk on Sunday, the ceremonial trek that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period of the death of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Imam Hussain.

However, IMN, in a statement, signed by Sheikh Sidi Sokoto for the Islamic Movement and the Shi’ites leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, said,,,,,,the walk, which was previously held in Masaka and Zuba axis on Saturday, was peaceful and successful, adding that medical practitioners were currently attending to the injured protesters, adding that details of those killed, injured, and arrested would be made available subsequently.

READ ALSO: Two Police Killed, Three Injured During Shi’ite-Police Clash In Abuja

According to the statement; “We wish to inform the public that the 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 had searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme would end as scheduled. The Arbeen trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully,” the sect said.