Katsina Governor warns Shiite members to maintain peace

Speaking on the development, the state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said any form of lawlessness will not be condoned in the state.

He said “we will not trample on the religious rights of the people to worship because there is freedom of religion but religious processions are not allowed in public places.

“We do not want some people to take over public places and moreover, we are not ready to allow what happened in Kaduna to take place here. We will make sure that no individuals or groups hold the peace loving people of this state to ransom.”

Meanwhile the leader of the Katsina state branch of the Shiite sect, Malam Yakubu Yahaya said his members were holding a peaceful procession before they were dispersed.

Yahaya said “We are law-abiding and we have always had peaceful processions for several years,” Yahaya said in a statement.

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“it is regrettable that somebody ordered that 10 truck load of security men should be unleashed on an innocent procession.”

The Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite Muslim sect clashed on December 12, 2016, when the sect’s followers allegedly attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.