BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite in Sokoto, Shiekh Sidi Mainasara has insisted that the Nigeria police lied, as it killed 3 of their members and shot additional 15 others on Thursday during their annual Ashura procession within the metrololis.
Sidi Mainasara who stressed that IMN have been holding this Islamic new year procession for over 30 years in Sokoto, wondered why such an unprovoked attack on their armless folllowers by security agencies who earn tax payers money to protect the lives and properties of citizenry.
While wondering why the police have refused to go into the forest where bandits are to arrest or even kill them, Shiekh Mainasara warned that they cannot continue to watch Nigeria security agencies kill their members without taking legal and other relevant actions.
Giving insight into what transpired on Thursday, the Sokoto IMN leader said, they started their peaceful procession from NNPC mega filing station along Sokoto/Gusau road follwed through the Sokoto byepass up until Mabera Madan Caro where they were to halt, and pray for the country before leaving.
“Shortly after we began prayers, the Police Eagle Eye came in their large numbers and started firing gunshots into the midst of the thousands of worshipers that are there. In that process, one person was shot dead instantly, another one died few minutes later and the third one died late in the night despite medical attention by our members. Fifteen others that equally sustain gunshots are still receiving treatments but we cant tell how their conditions will be for now”.
The Sokoto Police Command, had earlier in a reputal by its spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar denied killing members of the IMN, saying the police only went to their procession venue to halt crisis that erupted between the Shiite and some area boys.
According to ASP Sanusi, “On Thursday 19th August, 2021, large group of shi’it members were on demonstrations along Mabera kantin Sani area, Sokoto. While on demonstrations, some group of area boys attacked them which resulted to crises between the duo. On receiving the distress call, team of police men were deployed to Mabera kantin sani in order to curtail the situation and restore peace in the area.
“The police carried out these excercise professionally in line with due procudure without any act of mayhem to the members of the public. During these exercise, neither shi’it member or any body was killed or injured as purported by some conventional and social media outlets”.
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