The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has claimed that 15 of its members
were killed during the Ashura mourning procession on Tuesday in Kaduna, Bauchi,
Gombe, Sokoto and others.
It also claimed that several people sustained gunshots injury, fearing that
casualty figure may rise.
The movement said three people were killed by the police in Kaduna and 10
others were fatally when thousands of Muslim brothers and sisters trooped out
in the early hours of Tuesday.
Spokesman of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement, giving the breakdown of
fatality said “In Bauchi, reports also
have it that three people were killed during the Ashura procession when the
police attacked the mourners. Likewise three other people were killed by the
police in Azare, also in Bauchi state.
“Another three people were killed by the police in Gombe, Gombe state.
“One person was reportedly killed by the police in Illela, during the
Ashura procession there and another person was killed in Goronyo all in Sokoto
state.
“In Malumfashi, Katsina state also another person was killed. In Katsina
town however, several people sustained bullet wounds when the police opened
fire on the mourners, not only during the mourning procession, but afterwards
as the well- armed policemen attempted to forcibly make their way into the
Islamic centre of the Movement.
“These casualty figures may however rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds
sustained by some of the peaceful mourners.
“This year’s Ashura procession was
held in all the state capitals of the North and Abuja.
“It ended peacefully in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi, Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau,
Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and Potiskum.
“Today’s show of shame and rage by
the police across the states was sequel to the tragic orders given to it by the
Inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu to brutally attack the peaceful
Ashura mourners.
“That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by
the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are
whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties.
