By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Armed policemen have fired teargas canisters and live ammunition at members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), killing an unspecified number of persons and injuring several others during the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja on Sunday.
The event which started on Saturday, August 24, is to commemorate and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain (AS), who was beheaded at Karbala (in present-day Iraq) in 61 AH, equivalent to 680 CE.
Imam Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib (AS) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sayyida Fatima bintu Muhammad (SAWA), as well as the younger brother of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS).
SaharaReporters gathered that the police violently descended on the IMN during their procession at the Wuse Market.
A squad of gun-wielding policemen fired teargas canisters and live bullets at the sect in an attempt to disperse the peaceful procession.
The situation led to commotion in the area as motorists and passersby scampered to safety with several members of the movement sustaining varying degrees of injury.
An unspecified number of the IMN members were reportedly killed but this could not be independently verified by SaharaReporters as of the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident on behalf of the movement, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto in a statement, said those who sustained gunshots injuries had been taken to an undisclosed hospital while they were still compiling the number of those who lost their lives.
The statement reads, “We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners. While trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourner.
“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners.
“Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we have searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.
“The Arbeen Trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”