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Two feared dead as police and Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2023

At least two people have been feared dead as the Nigerian police and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as “Shi’ites” clashed during a protest against the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine in Kaduna.

Members of the movement in their hundreds on Thursday took to Kaduna streets to condemn Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

Trouble started when stones and pebbles flew freely in different directions as the Islamic sect marched through the Muhammadu Buhari Way, formerly WAFF Road in the heart of the city while motorists and other road users scampered for safety.

The development, an eyewitness said, forced police operatives to disperse the protestors with live bullets which allegedly resulted in the death of two persons.

However, the Kaduna Police Command confirmed to The PUNCH on the telephone that only one person was killed during the clash with the Shi’ite members.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, blamed the death on IMN members, whom he described as a violent sect.

Hassan said,

“The movement came out today, Thursday 16, November 2023, knowing fully well the ban on public procession in the state. They intend to disrupt social, and economic activities in the state. They blocked the major roads in the metropolis, preventing innocent and law-abiding citizens from carrying out their daily businesses.

“Our operatives(police) in the process of dispersing them, were pelted with stones and other dangerous objects such as catapults and in the process, one innocent civilian by name Aliyu Sani(40 years old) was hit and died.

“The public knows the Shi’ites are violent people who can never protest peacefully and everybody knows that they have been outlawed in the state.”