The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has raised alarm that men of Nigerian police have killed three of its members who were on the road for Ashura procession in Kaduna today. The group said one member in Bauch and another in Gombe killed.
IMN have defied its proscription by the government by embarking on a procession across the country. While the procession which the police described as ”an act of advancement of terrorism” and also warned the group against embarking on was peaceful in Abuja, other parts of Nigeria recorded a sad story.
The spokesperson of IMN in Kaduna State, Yahaya Mohammed alleged that three persons including a minor were killed during the Ashura procession (an annual religious ritual) in the state.
”In Abuja it (the procession) was peaceful because the police could not stop us,” he said.
”Three persons were killed in Kaduna, including a minor. In Gombe, there was shooting one person was confirmed dead. In Azare local government (area) in Bauchi one person was confirmed dead.”
The police however denied the allegation. Yakubu Sabo, spokesman of the Kaduna police command told The Cable that the Islamic group made up the story to get public sympathy.
“Based on the report we have, there was no casualty. We received a report that they were sighted around Biakin Ruwa bypass, and our men went there and dispersed them professionally,” he said.
”That has been their (IMN) approach to make frivolous claims. This is a group that has been proscribed by the state and federal government. The police will not fold its arms; we dispersed them professionally. There was no report of casualty. They are just making this claim to seek public sympathy.”
