Shia Muslims Martyred In Nigeria As Suppressing Ashura March
MEP: Over a dozen people have been martyred and others injured as security forces and Nigerian army try to stop Ashura march in numerous cities.
Security and army forces attacked Nigerian Shiites, who were holding processions in several cities to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein. The police tried to disperse the participants by shooting gun fire that leads martyrdom and wounding some of them.
Security forces blocked Shias’ path this morning to prevent their crossing and to have an excuse to justify their own behavior. Shiites insist to continue their marches and change their path but security forces shot them and put religious centers and Hussainiyas on fire.
In details, Nigerian security forces suppressed Shia mourners in Funtua and Jos, the two cities in north, so over a dozen people were martyred in the city of Funtua.
Security forces attacked to Shiites Center in the city of Jos after the march and put the place on fire. The police also surrounded the house of Sheikh Zakzaky’ representative, but locals confronted security forces and didn’t let the forces to reach him.
Also, security forces attacked a Shia center in Kaduna and put it on fire before arriving the Shia procession and three people were killed.
In Sokoto, one person was killed because he wanted to participate in Shia procession on the day of Ashura.
The disaster comes as a week ago the Kaduna State Government has declared a ban on Shia group led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky “Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)”, calling it as unlawful, citing “peace and security” as the reason behind the decision.
