Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria popularly known as Shi’ites have alleged that eight of their members were shot dead, while several others sustained injuries during a clash with security operatives that tried to disrupt their procession in Abuja.
The clash threw residents of the city into confusion but the group vowed to continue the procession despite the development.
IMN’s Secretary Academic Forum, Abdullahi Musa made this vow while briefing reporters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The statement read, “Today, in Abuja, there was another heartlessness on display by the combination of Army, Police and Civil Defence operatives. Sheikh Zakzaky’s followers started an Arba’een procession from the gate of Gwarinpa model city to the main bus stop, where it was terminated. Those who attended had even begun to disperse. Then arrived the team of the joint security agents with all sorts of savagery.
“Eight were confirmed dead, tens of scores injured and numerous arrested. They even carted away from some corpses to an unknown location.
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“In spite of all the brutality, Arba’een Symbolic trek cannot be stopped for what it stands for. The purpose of the trek is to recall and equally experience the trial and tribulation faced by the Household of the Holy Prophet (S).
“They were chained and dragged in the scorching desert, barefoot from Karbala in Iraq to Damascus in Syria after the killing of Imam Husain 61 years after Hijra. It was a period of anger and anguish at the perpetrators of injustice not just in the plain of Karbala but the world over.
“Muslims identify with members of the Holy Prophet (S) through the trek, and in answer to the call and cause of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala.
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“Today not only in Nigeria but in Karbala, this Arbaeen commemoration has become the largest human gathering on earth with over 25 million people in attendance from various parts of the globe.
“Our trek by foot is another way of saying that had it been there was a safe passage to Karbala from here, we would have marched to Karbala to pay homage to Imam Husain (AS) on this auspicious day.
“Today, before the attack on us, 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”.
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