The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Shi’ites

  • Shi’ites: IGP order operatives to hunt sponsors, killers of police officers

    Shi’ites: IGP order operatives to hunt sponsors, killers of police officers

    …confirms arrest of 97, IGP emplaces measures to seek justice for slain cops

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered security operatives to go after sponsors and killers of two police officers during Sunday’s clash between police and Shi’ites.

    Egbetokun condemned what he described as an unprovoked attack by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as the Shi’ite group, on police personnel.

    The incident occurred at Wuse Junction by the traffic light, where assailants targeted a police checkpoint and descended heavily on policemen on duty.

    Read Also; Police foil bandit attack, rescue five kidnapped victims in Katsina

    Egbtokun confirmed the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.

    The attackers, who were armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices, and knives, embarked on several violent attacks which left two police officers dead instantly and three unconscious, currently receiving treatment in hospital. Additionally, three police patrol vehicles were set ablaze during the attack.

    A statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the progressive efforts of police operatives have led to the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.

    “The IGP has also reaffirmed the unalloyed zeal of the Force to arrest other involved persons and bring the killers to justice, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining law and order and resisting all sorts of anarchy and unrest in any part of the country.

    “The unprovoked killings of police officers in the line of duty are highly outrageous and unacceptable as those who murdered these policemen have murdered peace.

    “As investigations unfold, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to uncover the full extent of this attack and prevent future occurrences of such violence against police officers. The IGP offers heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families of the fallen police officers, mourning their loss alongside them, and also wishes a speedy recovery to those currently undergoing treatment, hoping for their swift return to full health.

    “The NPF, therefore, seeks the support and understanding of the general public in its quest to maintain law and order even in the face of extremist threats and other forms of violent crimes across the country.”

  • Four feared killed, officers, others injured as Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

    Four feared killed, officers, others injured as Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

    Four people have been feared killed and 20 others injured when members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites clashed in Kaduna.

    The Nation gathered the Shi’ites trooped out in a large number on Friday for a peaceful procession to mark the International Quds Day in the state capital when the law enforcement operatives, particularly the Nigeria Police, stormed the scene to disperse the procession.

    The Shiites assembled near the Katsina roundabout along Ahmadu Bello Way prior to the arrival of the Police, who attempted to disperse them.  

    This situation caused tension and unease among the citizens, especially those with businesses situated along Ahmadu Bello Way as shots were fired by the police to disperse the protesters.

    Eyewitnesses said shots were fired during the clash and in the process, four members of the IMN were killed, while about 20 others were injured.

    Kaduna State Police Command’s  Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hasan confirmed that three Police personnel were injured during the incident and taken to the hospital for treatment.

    ASP Hassan also debunked the allegations that the Police operatives killed members of the IMN, noting that no live ammunition was used to dispense the procession.

    Speaking earlier during the procession, one of the leaders of IMN, Professor Dauda Nalado, said the Quds day is celebrated annually during the month of Ramadan.

    According to him: “The great global leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imaam Ruhullah Al-Musawi Al-Khomeini, Invited Muslims and non-Muslims with humanity at heart to show solidarity with the innocent and oppressed people of Palestine and against the brutality of the usurper, apartheid, and the illegal state of Israel. The imam declared the last Friday of each Ramadan as the International Quds Day.  

    “Since 1980, the Quds in Britain, France, Sweden, America, Germany, Canada, Australia, and numerous countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, etc. The Islamic movement, under the leadership of his Eminence Sayyid Dr. Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H), has been observing this event for decades in Nigeria.

    “In fact, one of the reasons of the Zaria massacre executed by the Buhari regime in 2015 was to kill Sayyid Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and crush this noble movement for justice, all due to the staunch support for the Palestinian course. Hitherto, the public could recall that on 25 July, 2014 Nigerian soldiers attacked the Quds Day procession in support of Palestine in Zaria, resulting in the assassination of 34 people, including three biological children of this great African leader.” He added, 

    “For six months now, the Zionist State has killed almost 33,000 Palestinians and wounded almost 80, 000, of whom more than half are women and children. They have destroyed buildings and turned Gaza City into rubble. They have violated all international human rights rules and committed war crimes with impunity.’

    Read Also: One dies as police disperse pro-Palestine protest by Shi’ites in Kaduna

    “It is pertinent to remind us that since the illegal state was carved out in 1948, the Palestinians have been subjugated and subjected to oppressive rule, controlling and humiliating every aspect of their daily lives. This current brutality by the Zionists was launched after a retaliative “Aqsa storm operation” by the Palestinians on 7th October 2023. These developments signal the final blow to Zionism.”

    He called on all people and nations with humanity to condemn the genocide against the Palestinian population and stop it saying, “Unfortunately, the United States and the United Kingdom are supporters of this genocide.”

    He thanked South Africa and the axis of resistance comprising Iran, Lebanon (Hizbullah) Syria, Iraq, and Yemen for their support and condemned the continued brutal genocide of the Palestinian population and support the oppressed people of Palestine in their just struggle.

    He called on the Nigeria to severe diplomatic ties with the “genocidal Zionist”state of Israel and also called for a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive package for the freedom of Palestine.

  • Shi’ites: Three reportedly die as police disperse pro-Palestine protesters in Kaduna

    Shi’ites: Three reportedly die as police disperse pro-Palestine protesters in Kaduna

    Members of the Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites on Thursday, November 16, clashed with men of the Nigeria Police when they staged a pro-Palestine in Kaduna.

    Kaduna State Police Command, however, said that members of the IMN started firing at the policemen who were drafted to disperse the ‘illegal’ protest, and in the process, the protesters killed a civilian identified as Aliyu.

    However, members of the Shi’ites alleged that the police killed two of their men during the clash.

    The protesters came out to declare their unalloyed support for the ‘oppressed’ people of Palestine.

    IMN members, who started their protest from the premises of the Kaduna state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), marched through Muhammadu Buhari Way to the office of the National Human Rights Commission to submit their protest letter. 

    Minutes after the protest commenced, men of the Nigeria Police engaged the protesters, firing teargas and shooting into the air to disperse them.

    Speaking during the protest, the leader of the protesters, Aliyu Umar Tirmizi said: “The Israeli occupiers have for the past 75 years been unleashing genocide, ethnic cleansing and apartheid on the unarmed civilians that include men, women and children.

    “They have murdered thousands of children and the aged and have demolished houses and worship places of innocent civilians. The Zionist Israel has abused the sanctity of the holy Mosque of Al-Aqsa and terrorized innocent worshipers who visit the place.

    “In recent times the Zionist Israel has increased its atrocities on the good people of Palestine where they have been using internationally banned weapons on innocent civilians and even attacked hospitals killing innocent people. These atrocities are committed with full knowledge of the so-called United Nations who have remained silent and subservient to the wicked plots of the Zionist regime.

    “It is an understatement to say that the United States of America is providing funds in the name of military aid worth $3.27 billion annually to Israel. The oppressed people of Palestine and indeed human-minded people from all over the world have risen against these atrocities.

    “We are out to voice our support for the oppressed people of Palestine and to condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the Zionist Israel with support from America and Europe.

    “We call on all kind-hearted individuals across the world to lend their voices in support of the oppressed Palestinians and condemn Israel and her cohorts. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.”

    Read Also: DSS arrests Shi’ites spokesman at Kano Airport

    Meanwhile, when contacted, Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansur Hassan said: “It is a lie to say that Police killed two Shi’ite members. We were only out to disperse the protesters because IMN is a proscribed organization in Kaduna State. They were protesting against the Israel and Palestine war, but this is not Israel, this is Kaduna.

    “On the contrary, it was the IMN members that started firing at our men. They fired catapults with pellets at our men. In the process, they (Shi’ites) killed one civilian identified as Aliyu. They blocked the road, attacked innocent civilians passing.”

    The protesters carried placards and white clothes wrapped like dead babies with blood stains, symbolizing the children killed in the Israel/Palestine war. They were chanting death to Israel, we support Palestine.