BEVERLY HILLS, December 16, (THEWILL) – The Police in Kaduna said members of the Shi’ite group had attacked the Tudun Wada Police Division on Tuesday.
The Spokesman of the state Police Command, Zubairu Abubakar, said this in Kaduna.
Abubakar said the division was attacked when its personnel tried to disperse hundreds of members of the sect who staged a protest against the arrest of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim el-Zak-Zaky.
The group had clashed with the military in Zaria on Dec. 12, when the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, was said have been attacked by some members of the sect.
The Nigerian army had alleged that members of the group had barricaded the road where the Army Chief was passing on his way to attend the passing out parade of the 73 Regular Recruit Intakes in the town.
An eye witness, Bilkisu Mohammed, said four persons were killed during the protest.
Bilkisu said the protest was peaceful until policemen who came in over 10 vehicles used teargas and other weapons to disperse the protesters.
“The Mobile Police came to the scene in over 10 vehicles and attacked the protesting Shi’ites, shooting and firing canisters of teargas at them at Tudun Wada Area of Kaduna North Local Government Area,” she said.
Bilkisu, who is a member of the group, said she saw three dead bodies being taken away by the police while one was picked by members of the sect.
She alleged that persons seen in black attires were arrested by the security personnel with the suspicion that they belonged to the protesting group.
But the police spokesman said that he was not aware of any killing or injured persons during the incident.
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