At least 10 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shiites, have been killed in a clash at Maraba near Abuja on Monday, according to a report by Daily Nigerian.
The incident occurred at a point between Maraba and Nyanya while members of the group were observing Yawn Arba’een march.
Ibrahim Musa, spokesman for the group while speaking on the attack said:
“Police have killed 10 of our members today. We were on peaceful march but police opened fire on peaceful protesters,”
“We will continue with our march tomorrow as being done in Karbala and other parts of Muslim world despite the killings of our members.”
53 of the group members were recently arrested by the police in Abuja following a violent protest.
Since the arrest and detention of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, his followers had organised series of protests in some cities in the country, calling for his release.
Anjuguri Manzah, spokesman for FCT Police Command, said he had not been briefed on the incident and therefore declined further comment.
The Nigerian Army on Sunday confirmed that three members of the sect died on Saturday, while two soldiers sustained injuries when they clashed with troops at Zuba in the FCT.
In the wake of the disturbances at the weekend, the FCT command had assured residents of adequate security against planned protests by the sect in the territory.
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