Tension in Kaduna as police stop Shiites procession
There is mounting tension in parts of the Kaduna metropolis following a face off between policemen and members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria popularly known as Shiites.
The Islamic sect, which had earlier been proscribed by the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, usually holds procession on every last Friday, leading to the end of the Ramadan fasting period of Muslims.
A member of the sect who spoke with PUNCH Online on condition of anonymit, said, “We call the last friday of the Ramadan week procession – the musahara – and it is organised to celebrate and mark the end of Ramadan fast for that particular year.
“Why would the police therefore disperse peaceful procession?”
The incident, which caused pandemonium in the state capital, followed the efforts of the police operatives to disperse members of the Islamic group who were holding a procession in the city centre.
The PUNCH had earlier Friday observed a large gathering of the IMN members along the Katsina Roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way even as more members also came from the Tudun Wada area through Ibrahim Taiwo Road.
They had begun to make their ways through the Kano Road by the Ahmadu Bello Way down to the Leventis overhead bridge, which was formerly the Levetis roundabout, before the police arrived and dispersed them.
This created panic and fear among the residents, particularly those whose shops and businesses are located along those routes, especially along the Ahmadu Bello Way.
The incident led many of the shop owners and banks to hurriedly close for fear of being caught in any crossfire typical of such outings.
When PUNCH contacted the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aliyu Usman,
he confirmed the swift intervention of the police which he stressed helped to contain what would’ve snowballed into another major crisis across the state.
Usman disclosed further that the Command arrested eight members of the IMN group and that the police also recovered among others from the Shiites, a locally fabricated gun, 30 catapults, several bows and banners.
According to the police spokeman, “following the intelligence report we received, our men quickly mobilised to the Ahmadu Bello way and Central Market area where law abiding residents were being prevented by the group from carrying out their lawful activities and businesses.
“Upon sighting our officers, the sect members started hauling stones at them. Many of them were using catapults to stone our officers who were on lawful duty.
“We had to respond by deploying minimal force, and teargas which led to the arrest of the eight suspects now on our custody. We also revovered from them 30 catapults, a locally fabricated gun, and bows.
“In fact, in the process of the operation, three of our officers were injured, and they are receiving treatment now. But our timely intervention has led to the restoration of the peace and calm in the area, and the people are now going about their lawful activities and businesses.
“We are monitoring the situation as our men are fully on ground and the arrested suspects would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court,” Usman said.
