The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, has accused the police of attacking a peaceful Arba’een symbolic trek in Wuse, Abuja, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several mourners.
The incident occurred during the Shi’ites’ Arba’een walk, a ceremonial trek marking the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
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According to a statement from the IMN, signed by Sheikh Sidi Sokoto on behalf of the movement and its leader Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, the trek in Abuja was disrupted by police forces who allegedly killed and injured numerous participants. The IMN noted that medical practitioners are currently attending to the injured, and they promised to release further details about those killed, injured, and arrested during the clash.
“We wish to inform the public that the police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een symbolic trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners,” the statement read. “Before the commencement of the trek, we had searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme would end as scheduled. The Arba’een trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”
In response, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, through its spokesperson Josephine Adeh, accused the IMN of launching an unprovoked attack on police officers stationed at a checkpoint in Wuse. The police alleged that the Shi’ites were armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices, and knives. According to the police, the attack resulted in the deaths of two officers, critically injured three others, and led to the destruction of three police patrol vehicles.
Adeh stated, “The proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.” She added that several members of the group had been arrested and assured that the situation was now under control.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, condemned the attack and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. He also reassured the public that normalcy had been restored in the area.
This confrontation is the latest in a series of violent clashes between the Shi’ites and security forces in Nigeria. One of the most notable incidents occurred in December 2015 when a deadly clash between the group and the military in Zaria, Kaduna State, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Shi’ite members, and the arrest of their leader Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat.
