By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Normalcy have returned to Kaduna city in northwest Nigeria, having earlier been thrown into confusion, when police opened fire on protesting shiite islamic sect, allegedly killing three members of the group.
The incidence had caused fear Tuesday afternoon, forcing residents of Kaduna to close businesses, including banks, offices and some schools.
Nigeria: Residents Of Kaduna Flee, As Shiite Protest Arrest Of Leader
Latest report from Tudun-Wada area of Kaduna said, problem started when members of the sect gathered at a mosque to protest the detention of their leader, sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and killing of their members in Zaria by soldiers on Saturday.
Soldiers and members of the sect on Saturday clashed, leaving several members of the shiite group dead.
The leader, Sheikh Zakzaky, alongside his wife, were rumoured to have been killed in the Saturday incidence, but the General Officer Commanding (GOC) One Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said Shaikh Zakkazki and his wife are safe in military custody.
On the crisis in Tudun wada, a member of the sect blamed the police for attacking their members who are on peaceful protest.
“Our people gathered in front of the mosque in preparation for a peaceful protest to show our anger over illegal detention of our members and Leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky by the soldiers, when police attacked us killing three of our members,” he said.
The shiite in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, confirmed the killing of 3 members of the sect by police, leaving many injured.
He explained that several of them sustained bullet wounds.
Effort to reach state police command spokesperson, DSP Zubairu Abubakar proved abortive as he did not pick his calls
PRESS RELEASE BY THE SHIITE SECT: POLICE KILLED PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN KADUNA
The mobile police unit (MOPOL) attacked a peaceful protest staged by the members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Kaduna, killing 3 people on the spot, with many receiving gun shot injuries.
As usual with such protest conducted by the Muslim brothers, it started peacefully from Layin kosai area of Tudun Wada Kaduna, however when it reached Tudun Nupawa near Enugu road, MOPOL, in about 5 vehicles opened fire on the protesters.
The main aim and slogans of the protesters was “Release Sheikh Zakzaky!” “Enough is Enough!”
The protest was dispersed by the police by their sporadic shootings.
However about 9 police vehicles moved to Tudun wada where the Markaz (Islamic Cenre) of the muslim brothers is situated and opened fire there. As if in continuation of what the army started in Zaria over the weekend.
Report reaching us said many were killed or wounded there also.
Similar protests were held in Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Gusau, and they all ended peacefully, becouse no police were ordered to shoot the protesters.
The question is who are those in authority that are bent on creating choas in Kaduna through such brutal attacks on ordinary unarmed people?
Signed by
IBRAHIM MUSA
PRESIDENT OF MEDIA FORUM OF THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA.
15/12/15