ASHURA PROCESSION: IMN CLAIMS 12 KILLED NATIONWIDE

"That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by the police, is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties",.... Ibrahim Musa.

In spite of warnings by the Police High Command to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN not to proceed on its planned procession in commemoration of Ashura, the group has gone ahead with its mourning procession with over ten (10) oersons declared dead on Tuesday.

IMN, in a statement issued Tuesday, has confirmed the killing of at least a dozen of Ashura mourners across the nation during the peaceful Ashura mourning procession today, 10/09/2019.

The statement which was signed by Ibrahim Musa, President of the Media Forum, Islamic Movement in Nigeria disclosed that "at least three people were confirmed killed by the police in Kaduna and 10 others injured, some fatally".

"This", according to Musa, "occurred when thousands of Muslim brothers and sisters trooped out in the early hours of today Tuesday 10/09/2019 commemorating the tragic events of Ashura".

Ibrahim noted that in Bauchi, reports also have it that 3 people were killed during the Ashura procession when the police attacked the mourners. Likewise 3 other people were killed by the police in Azare, also in Bauchi state.

"Another 3 people were killed by the police in Gombe, Gombe state", he revealed.

Furthermore, the IMN Media Forum President revealed that "one person was reportedly killed by the police in Illela, during the Ashura procession there, and another person was killed in Goronyo all in Sokoto state". 

"In Malumfashi, Katsina state also another person was killed. In Katsina town however, several people sustained bullet wounds when the police opened fire on the mourners, not only during the mourning procession, but afterwards as the well armed policemen attempted to forcibly make their way into the Islamic centre of the Movement", the statement read.

"These casualty figures may however rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds sustained by some of the peaceful mourners", Ibrahim said.

According to the media president of thr group, " this year's Ashura procession was held in all the state capitals of the North and Abuja. It ended peacefully in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi, Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and Potiskum".

"Today’s show of shame and rage by the police across the states was sequel to the tragic orders given to it by the Inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu to brutally attack the peaceful Ashura mourners", he said.

"That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties", he queried.

"We are grateful to Allah the Almighty that has granted us the courage to come out in several cities and villages across the country to commemorate the brutal killing of Imam Hussein (AS), the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) as it is done in several cities across the globe, despite intimidation and threats by the federal government and its agents, acting on behalf of the Saudis by proxy", the statement ended.