Shittes Blame Army Police for Clash, Casualties During Procession
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly referred to as the Shiite group, has rejected claims made by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command regarding a recent clash between the group’s members and security operatives in Abuja.
The FCT Police Command had alleged that the Shiite group was responsible for the death of a security operative and the injury of two others during the confrontation. However, the IMN has disputed this claim, stating that the police are hiding the true number of casualties and corpses.
According to the IMN, at least six of its members were killed during the clash, and over 380 members, including women and children, were arrested and detained by the police. This contradicts the police’s statement that only 19 suspects were arrested and two security operatives were injured.
The IMN has also denied allegations that its members were armed with dangerous weapons, such as firearms, cutlasses, and petrol bombs, during the clash.
The group’s leader, Prof. Abdullahi Danladi, described the police’s claims as a “cover-up” and stated that the IMN has a 40-year history of peaceful gatherings.
Danladi demanded the unconditional release of the arrested members and the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of their members. He also argued that even if the group’s activities were banned, it would not justify the alleged extrajudicial killings.
The incident has sparked concerns about the use of excessive force by security agents and the need for accountability. The IMN has vowed to continue its peaceful protests and to seek justice for its members who were killed and arrested during the clash.
