The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has claimed that 15 of its members were killed during the Ashura mourning procession on Tuesday in Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto and others.
It also claimed that several people sustained gunshots injury, fearing that casualty figure may rise.
The movement said three people were killed by the police in Kaduna and 10 others injured some fatally when thousands of Muslim brothers and sisters trooped out in the early hours of Tuesday.
Spokesman of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said in a statement โIn Bauchi, reports also have it that three people were killed during the Ashura procession when the police attacked the mourners. Likewise three other people were killed by the police in Azare, also in Bauchi state.
โAnother three people were killed by the police in Gombe, Gombe state.
โOne person was reportedly killed by the police in Illela, during the Ashura procession there and another person was killed in Goronyo all in Sokoto state.
โIn Malumfashi, Katsina state also another person was killed. In Katsina town however, several people sustained bullet wounds when the police opened fire on the mourners, not only during the mourning procession, but afterwards as the well- armed policemen attempted to forcibly make their way into the Islamic centre of the Movement.
โThese casualty figures may however rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds sustained by some of the peaceful mourners.
โThis yearโs Ashura procession was held in all the state capitals of the North and Abuja.
โIt ended peacefully in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi, Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and Potiskum.
โTodayโs show of shame and rage by the police across the states was sequel to the tragic orders given to it by the Inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu to brutally attack the peaceful Ashura mourners.
โThat the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties.
โWe are grateful to Allah the Almighty that has granted us the courage to come out in several cities and villages across the country to commemorate the brutal killing of Ima1m Hussein (AS), the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) as it is done in several cities across the globe, despite intimidation and threats by the federal government and its agents, acting on behalf of the Saudis by proxy.โ
