@NAIRATREND

One policeman was reportedly stoned to death, following a clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as ‘Shi’ites’ and the police in the state capital on Thursday.

There was confusion in the metropolis as the Shi’ites took to the streets to protest against what they described as continued “incarceration” of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and other members of the sect by the Nigerian government.

This was just as the Shi’ites leader, El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeena, were arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court along the Ibrahim Taiwo Road in the heart of the city on Thursday for arraignment.

But the trial could not hold because of the absence of the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Gideon Kurada.

As of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that a policeman was alleged to have been stoned to death during the incident while a patrol van belonging to the Nigeria Police Force was set ablaze around the Kano Road area of the metropolis.


The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mukhtar Aliyu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident but said he was going to give details later.

Gunshots were heard along the Ahmadu Bello Way, the economic nerve centre of the state, as well as the Katsina Road area.

The incident forced traders at the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market to hurriedly close shops and scamper for safety.

Human and vehicular movements were hampered, forcing residents to take another route to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Children were forced out of school and taken home by their parents.

Meanwhile, amid the right security by the men of the Department of State Services, El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeena, were brought to the Kaduna High Court 4 at exactly 9.15am.

The Shi’ite’ leader and his wife were conveyed to the court in a dark-coloured Sports Utility Vehicle (Prado Jeep)

All routes leading to the court were barricaded by security operatives, creating untold hardship for residents.


However, at the court, the absence of the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Gideon Kurada, stalled the trial of the IMN leader and his wife.

Counsel for El-Zakzaky, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), told journalists that the proposed arraignment of his client, was an exercise in futility as the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted El-Zakzaky bail but the Nigerian government turned it down.

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https://nairatrend.com.ng/el-zakzaky-shiite-protesters-stone-policeman-to-death-in-kaduna/