Shi’ites Display Bodies 5 Members ‘Killed’ By Police In Kaduna

The proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites Group, has insisted that five of its members were killed with 25 others injured in Kaduna on Friday, when the Police operatives tried to disperse them during a Pro-Palestines procession also known as Quds International Day.

According to a statement released by the group signed by Aliyu Umar Tirmizhi, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Kaduna on Saturday, IMN said the procession is an annual activity to commemorate the International Quds Day, which is on the last Friday of every month of Ramadan, to show support for the oppressed people of Palestine, who are facing mass genocide perpetrated by Israel.

The statement contained names and was attached with photographs of the bodies of the five deceased IMN members.

He said the activity has been sustained for the past 30 years in major cities of Nigeria and has always been peaceful as other activities engaged in by IMN members over the decades.

“Unfortunately on Friday 6th, 2024, the well organised peaceful demonstration staged by unarmed men, women, children and even the physically challenged, to sympathise with the Palestinians and condemn the genocide being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, the police with full combat-ready force came in tens of vehicles carrying heavy arms and clamped down on the peaceful demonstration.

“Not minding who were there, they started by throwing teargas and simultaneously shooting sporadically at women, children, physically challenged and men and onlookers present there, without any provocation.

“As a result, they killed five innocent persons, including minors, and injured 25 with some of them in very unstable situation. Those killed include; Mahamud Umar, Ibrahim Rabiu, Haidar Ishaq, Mustapha Buruku, and Ahmad Mustafa,” Tirmizhi stated.

It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hasan, denied the allegation of killing of any of the IMN member but instead said three Policemen sustained injuries following an attack from the Shi’ite members, adding that the injured officers had been taken to the hospital for treatment.