Six Shi’ites were killed and numerous others were injured in Zaria.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

During this year’s Ashura Day procession in Zaria, six members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) were killed and an unknown number were injured.

Mallam Abdulhamid Bello, the movement’s leader in Zaria, confirmed the death, claiming that a team of security agents invaded their members as they were rounding off the procession at Zaria City Market and began shooting, resulting in the deaths of their members and the injury of many others.

The total number of casualties has not yet been fully recorded, according to Malam Bello, but “many of them have been rushed to St Luke’s hospital in Wusasa, while those in critical condition have been taken to ABU teaching hospital Shika Zaria.”

A police spokesman, Mohammed Jalinge, said he was aware of the incident but had not yet been fully briefed on it.

At Leventis Roundabout and around Kawo Bridge, the procession was also peaceful.

“Today we came out to commemorate the day of Ashura,” Aliyu Umar, one of El-disciples Zakzaky’s who led the procession in Kaduna, said. The day is significant because it is a day of seeking justice, as Imam Hussein did. “We use this date to remind people that today is the day of justice, and people should follow in Imam Hussein’s footsteps in seeking justice,” he said.