One person was reported dead and many more were injured after members of the outlawed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), often known as Shi'ites, clashed with security personnel in Kaduna. According to reports, the event occurred while Shi'ites were participating in a procession to commemorate the annual Quds Day, which is commemorated with a procession on the last Friday of Ramadan to protest Israel's occupation of Palestine. Security agents stationed along main routes in Kaduna and Zaria attempted to separate the group's members, but the situation became violent.
Nsmnews reports that state security agents allegedly used tear gas and live gunfire against protesters, while other Shi'ites allegedly set fire to numerous vehicles in Zaria, according to eyewitnesses.
Aliyu Umar, the IMN Amir in Kaduna, noted that Quds Day is a global event that is honored even in Western countries, and wondered why they are usually followed by security agents when commemorating the day.
He described the encounter as peaceful, claiming that the march tried to escape the police who were previously stationed in a strategic location to block it. They pursued us from behind, firing tear gas and live bullets at our members. "We just finished the Janazah prayers, and nine people have been shot," he said.
The Amir also said that the police had apprehended roughly eight members of the gang, and he refuted claims that a police station had been set on fire by Shi'ites.
He went on to say that the police had used minimum force to prevent the extension of crime and violence "their expected noncompliance," whereas the Shi'ites' actions had resulted in damage to public and private property. "We apprehended 14 members of the outlawed group," he said, adding that the Commissioner of Police, YekiniAdio Ayoku, has ordered that the accused be probed and charged in court.
