The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly called Shi’ite has debunked the statement credited to the Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State command on what transpired in the state recently.
Addresing a press conference on Saturday, the leader of the Shi’ites in Sokoto State, Malam Maniru Mainasara, alleged that, the police used live bullet to disperse their members during a procession.
“We were holding a peaceful procession which is our annual event to commemorate Ashura day when we were attacked by the police.”
“The attack occurred when we were rounding off the procession around Shuni road as the police came and insisted on passing through the road.”
“It was at that point that, they started firing tear gas and followed it up with live bullets.
“At least 18 of our members sustained severe injuries from the gun shots, as a result of which three lost their lives,” Mainasara alleged.
When asked about the whereabouts of the corpses and the injured ones, he said they were being taken to group’s care center used as medical facility.
Mainasara noted that the group would file legal action against the police and the Sokoto State government, insisting that, it was a prearranged attack on innocent people.
According to him, the activity was within the provision of Nigeria’s constitution and his members are country’s citizens enjoying all the rights and privileges.
He added that the group has conducted the annual procession for the past 30 years in Sokoto without any record of violence and destruction of properties.
He stressed that the group consist of law abiding citizens, the reason why they approached courts on any grievances adding that many cases were won against police and other institutions.
Recalled that the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force in Sokoto State, ASP Sanusi Abubakar denied media reports of clash between the command and Shi’ite members in the state during this year Ashura day.
Abubakar had said the reported clashes and loss of lives never occurred as policemen from the command was only drafted to the place to restore law and order following the disagreement between area boys and the Shi’ite members.
“The attention of Sokoto State police Command has been drawn to the above story trending on social media that policemen clash with shi’ite members which resulted to loss of three shi’ite members in Sokoto.
“The command wishes to debunk the story and viewed it as inaccurate and an attempt by some mischievous makers to create chaos into the mind of the general public.”
The statement further said, “for the avoidance of doubts and clarity, the command is hereby giving the accurate report of the incident.
“On Thursday, 19th August,2021, a large group of shi’ite members were on demonstrations along Mabera kantin Sani area, Sokoto.
“While on demonstrations, some group of area boys attacked them which resulted to crises between the duo. On receiving the distress call, team of police men were deployed to Mabera kantin sani in order to curtail the situation and restore peace in the area.”
He said the police carried out these excercise professionally in line with due procudure without any act of mayhem to the members of the public.
“During this exercise, neither shi’ite member or anybody was killed or injured as purported by some conventional and social media outlets.”
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