“Police lie, 46 members killed, 1000 others still missing” – Shi’ites
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) say at least a thousand members were missing following clashes with security operatives in Abuja.
Operatives of the Nigerian Army claimed three Shi’ite members were killed during Saturday’s face-off, while three more were reported killed in another clash on Monday.
The Shi’ite Muslims call the number of dead persons declared by the military a lie. They claim that at least 46 members lost their lives in what was supposed to be a three-day “peaceful” protest.
The group’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Musa, said on Wednesday that they were being blackmailed as the bad people.
“The public will recall that on Saturday 27 October, 2018 the followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky publicly announced the commencement of three days religious gathering (Arbaeen Symbolic Trek) and protest for unconditional release of our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky,” Musa said.
“Unfortunately, during the programme, the military and police killed 46 mourners and protesters, injured 107 and 1000 got missing. The worst part of the crime is that the police are now blackmailing us to cover their atrocities.”
Musa also refuted claims by the police that home-made explosives were recovered from 400 arrested Shi’ites. He urged the public to “ignore” the “baseless” allegations.
“The police should come out and tell the world where they got the explosive and account for over 1000 people that got missing during the three days protest and we are calling for the prosecution of all those that participated in the attack and killing of 46 protesters,” he said.
Leader of the group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, will appear before a court in Kaduna on November 7 for his bail application.
