Tension engulfed Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ites, clashed with security forces, comprising the Police and military operatives.
In the encounter, at least four persons may have died when some unidentified gunmen in uniform opened fire at IMN members, who had embarked on their annual ‘Arbaeen trek’ around Gwarinpa district of Abuja.
Reports said residents of the area were thrown into confusion as the gunmen attacked the sect members near the tricycle park at Third Avenue, Gwarinpa Estate around 10:00 am. Eyewitnesses claimed that the armed men, who stormed the area without prior notice to residents, came in unidentified security patrol vans.
Although details of the attack were still sketchy, one of the sources told Vanguard that the suspected operatives killed about eight people including passersby.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one eyewitness said; “It was around 10:00 am we started hearing gunshots along the road. The shooting lasted about 10 minutes. But after the shooting, the gunmen appeared to have succeeded in thoroughly dispersing the Arbaeen trekkers.
“I can’t say how many people were killed but the corpses we have counted were eight. What I can tell you is that up to eight people were killed in the incident. Some of the passersby who had nothing to do with the Shi’ites may have also been involved.”
Reacting to inquiries about the attack, Secretary of IMN’s Academic Forum, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the incident but was unable to provide details on the casualty figures.
Musa told the Vanguard in a telephone call that; “The Arbaeen trek is an annual street demonstration by Shi’ites globally. Since the military authorities demolished our Centre in Zaria, we have been leading the religious trek from here (Abuja). It began on Monday. However, we had hoped to conclude the activities today (Tuesday).
“So, we assembled at the Galadima gate (Charly Boy bus stop) in Gwarinpa around 9:00am and staged our religious walk peacefully for about an hour. We neither made any demand on the government nor criticised anyone during the trek. It was purely a spiritual exercise for us.
“But as we were about to disperse, security operatives arrived at the scene and opened fire on our members, injuring many and killing some people. As for the casualty figures, I need to verify the numbers and get back to you, please.”
Earlier, the Shi’ites staged a similar street procession in Nyanya – Mararaba axis of the nation’s capital. The trek, which kicked off from Masaka and terminated in Mararaba, caused a major gridlock in the area.
Some members of the Sect were seen with placards including portraits of the sons of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky who were killed during the ‘Zaria Massacre’ of December 2015.
Speaking with journalists after the trek, IMN’s Sheikh Sidi Sokoto, said: “Today, the general public has witnessed how the Arbaeen trek like those before ended without any attempt to curb the right of safe passage to other road users. No panic was created by our Arbaeen trek.
“Though we started with few people and confined ourselves to a particular place and recited some supplication, we thank Allah now; we trek in millions globally.
“This is the handwork of Allah, and not the trick or influence of anybody as no one forced us to trek, it is out of the free will and love for the family of the Prophet.”
Reports said that there was no incident of violence during the Mararaba rally as passers-by and residents were seen going about their normal businesses. – With Vanguard report
