Islamic Movement in Nigeria Attacked by Security Forces During Peaceful ‘Arbaeen’ Procession
In a statement, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria accused Nigerian police forces of launching an unprovoked assault on its members during their peaceful Arba’een march, an annual event commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The IMN claims that a number of its members were killed during the police attack, sparking outrage within the movement.
The IMN’s symbolic trek began peacefully in the Zonteri area, with members recounting that upon reaching their destination, police officers opened fire with live ammunition rather than using non-lethal methods such as tear gas. Witnesses from the movement describe police shooting directly at marchers, many of whom were women and children. The IMN asserts that the violence was unprovoked and targeted at innocent civilians, leading to a tragic loss of life.
The movement pointed out that the initial stages of the Arba’een march were monitored by security forces and completed without incident. However, the IMN was not surprised by the escalation of violence on the second day, given a history of clashes with Nigerian security forces during past commemorations. The movement has faced repeated attacks during its annual marches over the last six years, with the exception of 2022, when the event passed without incident.
In contrast, Nigeria’s police force has issued a statement condemning what they describe as an unprovoked attack by IMN members. The IMN has strongly denied any involvement in Sunday’s deadly attack in Abuja, which reportedly left several police officers dead. According to the police, two officers were killed, three were hospitalized, and three patrol vehicles were set ablaze during the altercation. Several arrests were made, and the police have vowed to bring those responsible to justice. Further developments in the case are expected, and the IMN has promised to release a detailed account of the number of mourners killed once more information is available.
If you value our journalism…
TMJ News is committed to remaining an independent, reader-funded news platform. A small donation from our valuable readers like you keeps us running so that we can keep our reporting open to all! We’ve launched a fundraising campaign to raise the $10,000 we need to meet our publishing costs this year, and it’d mean the world to us if you’d make a monthly or one-time donation to help. If you value what we publish and agree that our world needs alternative voices like ours in the media, please give what you can today.
Author
Related
Islamabad Under Lockdown as Imran Khan Supporters Rally for his Release
Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is under lockdown as tens of thousands of supporters of jailed former…
Putin Warns NATO for Hypersonic Missile Conflict Escalation
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address from the Kremlin on Thursday, outlined Moscow’s…
Soaring Violence in Haiti Leaves Over 150 Dead and 20,000 Displaced: UN
At least 150 people have been killed, 92 injured, and 20,000 displaced in Port-au-Prince over…
