Just In: Soldiers surround Shi’ites gathering in Kaduna

Just few days after the Kaduna government banned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, soldiers have surrounded a meeting of the group, Premium Times reports.

In a statement on Tuesday by UK-based Islamic Human Rights Commission the incident occurred when members of the group gathered to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram that are particularly significant in the Shia calendar.

“Shortly before the Kaduna Markaz mosque on Zango Road was encircled by armoured military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers and also an ambulance were among a convoy of 18 military vehicles seen nearby,” the group said.

According to an eye witness the incident occurred at the residence of a senior Shi’a leader, Muhtar Sahabi, and not a Mosque.

He said the house was surrounded by dozens of soldiers and mobile policemen who turned back women and children worshippers who were just arriving for the meeting.

“It appears they want to make arrests following the recent ban,” the source said.

“As was feared, the new law appears to be being used as an attempt to prevent the movement’s supporters from attending ceremonies commemorating the month of Muharram,” IHRC said.

in December 2015, members of the Shi’ites group clashed with the army leading to the death of over 300 of their members and the eventual arrest of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who is currently in custody.

 

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