‘Many killed’ again as security operatives open fire on Shi’ites in Abuja

A combined team of policemen and soldiers reportedly opened fire
on the members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better
known as Shi’ites, in Abuja on Monday evening.

The incident happened at Nyanya checkpoint along Mararaba road
in the nation’s capital.

Security operatives had intercepted the procession of the sect
members who were marching from Mararaba/Nasarawa axis.

A witness told TheCable  not TheNigerialawyer that the
policemen and soldiers fired live bullets after failing in the bid
to prevent the protesters from moving into the city.

“The security personnel opened fire on the protesters at close
range. The IMN members were advancing towards Abuja when they were
stopped,” the witness said.

“Many of them were killed. Some also sustained injuries.”

On Saturday, five IMN members were shot dead during a procession
in Zuba, Gwagwalada area council of the federal capital territory
(FCT).

The Shi’ites were proceeding from Suleja, Niger state, to Abuja
for a three-day mass protest.

#HappeningNow^[1]

Soldiers shooting at Shiites at Nyanya Abuja pic.twitter.com/JtwQZ9jwvD^[2]

— BT-TV (@bttvng) October
29, 2018^[3]

Members of the sect were approaching a military checkpoint near
Zuma motor park when the soldiers on duty ordered them to turn
back. The group resisted the directive as they engaged the soldiers
in an argument which resulted in a commotion.

A witness who pleaded anonymity had told TheCable that the
Shi’ites resorted to hurling stones at the soldiers.

In the pandemonium, the soldiers were said to have opened fire
on them.

Hours before the latest attack, Abdullahi Musa, spokesman of the
sect, had raised the alarm that soldiers were planning to launch a
fresh attack on the group.

Musa said an IMN member overheard a soldier attached to the
guards brigade at Kubau checkpoint along Karu – Abuja expressway
saying order had been given “from above” that the military should
engage the Shi’ites in a battle.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement made by a member of
Guards Brigade at (his duty post) Kubau Check point along
Karu-Abuja expressway that they are waiting for the followers of
Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), because they have an order from above
to engage them,” Musa had said in a statement.

He had vowed that the group would not be intimidated to give up
its demand for the release of Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, its leader.