A police officer has been reportedly killed during a clash between members of the Islāmic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shi’ites and members of the Nigerian Police Force, which also led to so many of them being injured with two reportedly dead.

Members of the Islāmic group had trooped out en masse to witness the trial of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, at the State High Court.

Armed Security personnel, had reportedly sealed off major roads which led to the court and prevented journalists from gaining entrance into the court complex to prevent the peace and quiet of the court from being disturbed.

Chaos and commotion, however, broke out as members of the Islāmic group picked up stones and other deadly weapons and started attacking police officers positioned to make sure the security of the area.

The police officers in response to the violence, release teargas canister to scare them away and quell the situation. This, however, proved futile as the protesters who had trooped out en masse failed to withdraw.

Aliyu Mukhtar, the spokesman of the Kaduna police command, said the deceased officer died after being hit by objects thrown at him by the Shi’ites.

“IT WAS A LARGE CROWD, THE SHIITE MEMBERS AS USUAL WERE HIDING IN THE MIDST OF PEOPLE AND WHEN OUR MEN WERE TRYING TO DISPERSE THEM, THEY STARTED THROWING STONES AT THEM,” HE SAID.

“THE POLICEMAN WAS HIT WITH STONES SEVERAL TIMES AND HE FELL DOWN. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE BARAU DIKKO SPECIALIST HOSPITAL WERE HE GAVE UP.”

Eleven Shi'ite members were reportedly immediately arrested, while the police tried to bring the situation under control.

Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to Zakzaky, told reporters that the court did not sit and the case was adjourned till July 11. He also condemned the decision of barring journalists from the court by the Police, stating that it was public.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN YOU ALSO HAVE A DUTY TO INSIST ON BEING PART OF THIS TRIAL BECAUSE IT IS A PUBLIC TRIAL. IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO COVER THE PROCEEDINGS” HE SAID.

“WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT TODAY IS THAT, THE COURT DID NOT SIT. WE WERE INFORMED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE COURT THAT HIS LORDSHIP, JUSTICE GIDEON KURADA IS INDISPOSED. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, WE HAVE TO TAKE A DATE, THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE COUNSEL HAVE AGREED TO COME BACK ON 11TH JULY TO HAVE POSSIBLY THE ARRAIGNMENT AND FILE AN APPLICATION FOR BAIL FOR OUR CLIENT.

“SO, THAT IS WHERE WE ARE. WE DON’T KNOW THE REASON THE JUDGE IS NOT IN COURT BUT WE WERE TOLD HE WAS INDISPOSED.”

Unconfirmed reports also alleged two members of the Islāmic group were killed during the attempt to quell the violent situation by the police.

https://twitter.com/thediurnal/status/1009866769463480320

http://thediurnal.com/police-man-stoned-to-death-by-shiites-in-violent-protest/

ok

I hope this Iran Shi'ite Muslims will not be worse than Boko Haram the way we are going? How do we explain the continual attack on the armed forces
( If it is not Army today, it will be police and this same group was trying to wipe sentiment the other time calling the Christians to support them against Buhari.

I may not like most of PMB policies and approach to issues but am certainly with him on this Shi'ite matter. Another person I don't like is El-rufai but again, on this Shi'ite matter you have my support. You kill a police man and destroy thier van, then you will come and start shouting human right? They deserved any treatment the police give them. For once we should be law abiding. They can't have CAN support at all, or when have they heard Christian s protesting and attacking the Police?

This is indeed the time the Sultan of Sokoto should be talking if he's truly the leader of Muslims in Nigeria. This is the time for him to call them to order before another version of Boko Haram evolve.