The Islamic Movement of Nigeria widely recognized as the Shiite group, has accused the police of concealing the bodies of its members allegedly killed during a confrontation that erupted on Friday amid their religious procession.
According to the group, six of its members lost their lives, while 380 others, including women and children, were taken into police custody.
The clash occurred in Abuja during the group’s observance of International Quds Day, leading to a violent encounter between its members and security operatives.
In a statement, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, alleged that the Shiite group initiated the violence, claiming they were armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs.
She stated that the altercation resulted in heavy gunfire, leaving two security personnel severely injured and one officer confirmed dead at the National Hospital.
Adeh further noted that security operatives arrested 19 individuals in connection with the incident, while others managed to flee.
However, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the IMN’s Resource Forum, represented by Professor Abdullahi Danladi, accused security forces of withholding information on the actual number of casualties and hiding the bodies of those killed.
“The police might have said they arrested 19 of our members, but reliable information confirmed that the Guard Brigade and the police have arrested 380 protesters, including women and children, and six people were confirmed martyred,” Danladi stated.
“Those arrested are being detained at SARS Abbator, Guzape, Abuja, and those that reached martyrdom include Shaheed Ibraheem Dalhat (Sharif Albani), Shaheed Nasir Abubakar, Shaheed Abdulaziz Abubakar, and Shaheed Auwal Abbas Bichi among others.
“However, the security agents are hiding casualties and other corpses of those who passed away in unknown places. Thus, the number of casualties and corpses with the Guard Brigade and the police are still unknown. Nevertheless, we will update the public in due course.”
Danladi also rejected claims by the police that Shiite members were armed, calling the allegations an attempt to justify the use of force against them.
“They said we came with dangerous weapons; they have every reason to say what they want to say to defend their crimes. But it is a known fact that the IMN had been carrying out our activities over 40 years. Whenever we gather, we gather and disperse peacefully but it is only when the police or security operatives attack us that you hear about casualties.
“We don’t kill or injure security operatives. In fact, it is not in our character rather we fight for their rights and that of the citizens. We don’t kill or injure anybody, we make life easier for everybody.”
He further called for the immediate and unconditional release of detained members and demanded that those responsible for the deaths of their colleagues be held accountable.
Addressing the proscription of the group, Danladi noted that the matter was still being contested in court. He insisted that even if a ban were in effect, it would not justify what he described as extrajudicial killings.
Reacting to the accusations, police spokesperson Adeh challenged the group to provide evidence to back its claims.
She criticized the group for continuing its activities despite being proscribed and accused them of repeatedly launching unprovoked attacks on security forces, warning that such actions would no longer be tolerated.
“The Shiite group is proscribed; therefore, their activities are illegal. Members of this group are always armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, and petrol bombs and are known for attacking security agents without provocation. This will no longer be tolerated. As for the casualties they claim, let them provide proof,” Adeh stated.
