Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, better known as Shi’ites, on Monday, defied warnings by a combined force of the Nigerian army and police as they poured into the FCT from all major routes leading to observe the Arbaeen mourning processions.
The sect, which members came out in their thousands for the procession, clashed again with security operatives when the army attempted to stop them from accessing the city-centre. The ensuing fracas led to the security operatives opening fire on the group along Nyanya, an outskirt of the FCT.
Some people have been reported dead, but the exact number is not yet clear as reports are hazy at the moment.
Speaking on the renewed clash, Ibrahim Musa, the spokesman of the IMN told DAILY POST: “Abuja is today witnessing a bloodbath as the savage Nigerian Army in their cowardly acts waylaid peaceful Arbaeen mourning procession.
“Soldiers, who take to their heels when they sight armed bandits and Boko Haram terrorists, would gleefully attack unarmed women, children and boys, shooting to kill.”
On why the group defied warnings by the security operatives against their entry into the city-centre, he said: “We merely insisted on taking our procession to the city-centre despite army resistance because we believe in the sanctity of our rights to free movement as citizens. Our members were innocently killed for defending their rights.”
Meanwhile, more members of the sect were seen marching towards the city-centre from the Kubwa and Gwagwalada axis of Abuja.
Residents of the FCT who live in the outskirts of Abuja but ply these routes to and from work in the city-centre were apprehensive of the security situation.
However, calls from relatives and friend have continued to pour in; warning those still within the city-centre to remain there until normalcy on the routes were restored.
Recall that a similar clash between the army and IMN, which left no fewer than three people dead erupted over the weekend in Zuba District of the FCT.
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