ADVERTISEMENT

Shiites claim child shot dead in clashes with police

Abdulkadir fears that police may have secretly buried the dead bodies allegedly taken from the hospital in a mass grave.

Members of the pro-Iranian Shiite group Islamic Movement of Nigeria gather on the outskirts of the northern Nigerian city of Kano on November 14, 2016

A leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and procession organiser Sanusi Abdulkadir said police had opened fire on thousands of people without provocation and took away corpses from the hospital.

Clashes broke out on Monday in the outskirts of Kano between police and members of the IMN taking part in an annual 130-kilometre walk to the city of Zaria to mark the Ashura religious festival.

"They (police) began by throwing teargas canisters and minutes later started firing live bullets, injuring and killing several people", Abdulkadir told reporters at the IMN headquarters in the city.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We have eight dead bodies with us including a two-year old girl shot in the head."

A crowd of IMN members was gathered in the foyer of the building, some with injuries from the clashes.

"It is difficult to give a tentative death toll because the information reaching us is scary," Abdulkadir said.

"At the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital 40 dead bodies including men, women and children were taken to the morgue.

"The police quickly went and took the bodies away, so we don't know where they took them."

ADVERTISEMENT

Abdulkadir estimated that more than 50 of his members could have been killed in the violence with at least 30 others injured.

'Dangerous situation'

There have been several incidents of sectarian violence involving the IMN in the past year in Nigeria, with Sunni Muslim mobs attacking Shiite ceremonies in recent weeks.

In October, Kano police banned IMN from conducting street processions ahead of the annual Ashura rites on the grounds that the group is a security threat.

Speaking to reporters in Nigeria's capital Abuja, inspector general of police Ibrahim Idris defended the decision to shoot at the IMN procession.

ADVERTISEMENT

"They attacked our officers, killed one of our officers. One has sustained an arrow wound on his head and obviously in such a situation, police have the responsibility to ensure free movement of people on the road," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim described the IMN procession as being "armed to the teeth" and dismissed fears that authorities' heavy-handed response would radicalise the group.

"I think as Nigerians, we have to appreciate... a dangerous situation, and to be sympathetic with the police that are being killed by some of these miscreants," Ibrahim said.

"When you worship, you go to mosques or churches. Blocking highways and passages doesn't constitute part of worship."

Mass graves

ADVERTISEMENT

It wouldn't be the first time.

Earlier this year, Amnesty International accused Nigeria's military of deliberately shooting dead more than 350 IMN protesters in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015, destroying evidence of the crime and dumping the bodies in mass graves.

Experts cautioned against drawing too close a comparison between IMN and Boko Haram jihadists, who took up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009 following a bloody crackdown on the group and the death of its leader Mohammed Yusuf.

"At this stage we're seeing an excessive government clampdown on the IMN without there being clear evidence that it (the IMN) is going to react with an armed campaign," Ryan Cummings, director at intelligence firm Signal Risk, told AFP.

But Cummings warned that continued clashes with IMN could "radicalise" Nigerian Shiites, complicating an already volatile security situation in Nigeria, which continues to battle Boko Haram militants in the north and oil rebels in the south.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT