The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, on Sunday said two of its members were killed by mobile policemen in Kano as the sect embarked on its annual Arbaeen trek.
A statement by the sect’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, said the slain members were yet to be identified. However, there was no official statement from the Kano police command as at the time of this report.
He said thousands of their members started the trek from Kofar Mazugal in Kano early in the morning, and prayed afternoon prayers at Kofar Nasarawa before stumbled at the Lado overhead bridge.
“It was while people were dispersing that mobile policemen arrived the scene and started firing teargas and eventually live bullets. A muslim brother and Sister were confirmed shot and killed by the police and their corpses taken by their attackers. Many people were reportedly injured.
“When news spread that mobile police had laid siege on the Arbaeen trekkers in the outskirts of Kano, a London based human rights group, IHRC, issued a press release calling for restraint on the part of the police authorities.
“We are deeply concerned at reports of this build-up given the past attacks on the Islamic Movement by the police and armed forces. We demand the Nigeria police and authorities de-escalate the situation immediately,” said Islamic Human Rights Council, IHRC.
“However while terminating today’s trek, a leading member of IMN, Dr. Sunusi Abdulqadir, called on members of IMN to go back home peacefully as they came, and return tomorrow to continue the march to Zaria,” he said.
The group said it has picture evidence of the unknown victim whom they alleged to have been killed by police bullets.
