Nigerian police 'open fire' on Shia Muslim procession

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – One person died after police reportedly shot at hundreds of Shia Muslims on a religious procession in northwestern Nigeria on Wednesday morning.

Local sources told Anadolu Agency the violence broke out in Funtua town, Katsina state, during an Ashura gathering.

“The procession turned bloody as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria refused police attempts to break [up] the procession. They were fired at and many of the protesters were seen scampering for safety,” Rufai Danlami, a resident of the town, told Anadolu Agency by phone.

Danlami said 23 people were unable to rise and were taken away for treatment. One dead body was also taken away the eyewitness added.

However, Harun El-Binawi -- a member of the Islamic Movement -- told Anadolu Agency four of their members had been shot dead by police.

Local police spokesman Salisu Agaisa had yet to respond to Anadolu Agency's calls on the developments in Funtua.

The Ashura procession in Shia Islam commemorates the death of Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad on the tenth day of Muharram -- the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The Shia group is not banned in Katsina, unlike in neighboring Kaduna state where it was proscribed following a 2015 encounter with the army. Other flashpoint areas, like Zaria and Kaduna, did not see any violence so far on Wednesday.

The Islamic Movement has a history of conflict with Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the military.

Its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was detained following army raids on the group’s structures across Zaria city in Kaduna last year. Over 300 people were allegedly killed in clashes.

At least 35 Shia, including three sons of El-Zakzaky, were killed by Nigerian troops during an infamous Quds Day procession in July 2014.

The army denied allegations of wrongdoing over the deaths, insisting it acted within its rules of engagement.

Human rights groups condemned the killings and called for the soldiers responsible to be prosecuted.