Two feared dead as police/Shia clash in Kano

•Police deny killing sect members
Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) yesterday said the police allegedly killed two of its members during their Arbaeen annual trek in Kano State.
The Nation reports that  thousands of IMN members started the trek from Kofar Mazugal, about 10 am, said their afternoon prayers at Kofar Nasarawa, and stopped at Lado overhead bridge.
A statement by the President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said: “It was when people were dispersing that mobile policemen arrived the scene and started firing teargas and eventually live bullets. A Muslim brother and sister were confirmed killed by the police and their bodies taken away by the police. Many people were reportedly injured.
“When news spread that mobile police had laid siege to the Arbaeen trekkers, a London-based human rights group, IHRC, issued a statement, calling for restraint on the part of the police.
“We are concerned at reports of this build-up, given past attacks on the movement by the police and armed forces. We demand that the police and authorities de-escalate the situation immediately.”
However, while terminating today’s trek, a leading member of IMN, Dr. Sunusi Abdulqadir, called on members to go back home peacefully and return tomorrow to continue the march to Zaria.”
But the police denied allegations that they killed two members of the movement.
Spokesman Magaji Musa Majia said they had a meeting with IMN members and advised them against the procession.
But to ensure security of life and property, security operatives were drafted to the scene, and in an attempt to disperse them, there was a confrontation.
|The Nation