Protests by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ite, across the Northern part of the country yesterday claimed no fewer than 16 lives.

In Kaduna State, members of the Shi’ite group banned by the state government, last week, gathered at Tudun Wada community in Kaduna South local government area to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram, which are particularly significant in the Shi’ite calendar.

A witness, Mohammed Idris, narrated that while they were gathered, a group of irate youths launched an attack on the Shi’ite members, burnt down the house of a member, one Muhktar, and also demolished the Shi’ite-owned Islamic school in the area.

The witness further alleged that the police ordered the youths to “attack us and to destroy our buildings.”

According to him, the mob prevented the Shi’ite members from entering their communities after being dispersed by the police, using tear gas.

“They were not in their traditional black dresses while being dispersed with police tear gas but were identified by vigilant youths who engaged them in a fight. Those who resisted were killed; the house of their leader, Mukhtar, was burnt down and their Markas (school) is currently being demolished by youths,” Idris said.

In Katsina, the Shi’ite members said security agents stopped a peaceful procession of their members in Funtua town using bullets, leaving no fewer than 10 dead and scores injured

Speaking to UNEEKOMUNIKATIONS correspondents on the condition of anonymity as he was not permitted to talk to the press, a highly placed member of the Islamic sect said the clash occurred yesterday morning along the Funtua-Zaria road when members of the IMN were observing a religious procession known as Day of ‘Ashura, which is normally conducted in the Muslim world on the 10th of Muharram, according to the Islamic calendar.

The procession came barely 48 hours after the police in Katsina outlawed any such processions in the state and neighbouring Kaduna and Kano States.
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