SHAFAQNA– The Islamic Movement in Nigeria says the number of people who were killed during raids by security forces on Ashura processions has risen to 14.
The IMN in a statement has added that two more Shia followers who had sustained serious injuries lost their lives while several others are still in critical health condition.
The initial death toll from the attacks by Nigerian security forces on the Shia community who was commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussein (A.S.) was 12.
The attacks took place in the states of Kaduna, Kastina, Sokoto and Gombe on Tuesday September 10 where Nigerian armed forces fired live rounds at peaceful protesters who were mourning Imam Hussein’s martyrdom. The IMN had already warned that Nigerian forces are ordered to disperse Shia crowds nationwide and prevent them to observe Muharram processions.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria is a Shia movement established by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky in 1970s. Authorities in the West African country banned the IMN in 2019 on the grounds of terrorism. Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife are detained since 2015 when the army staged a massacre in the northern city of Zaria and killed hundreds of IMN members, including 3 of sheikh’s sons.
Source: Islamic Movement in Nigeria
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