Soldiers of the Nigerian Army fired gunshots to disperse members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, (IMN) also known as Shiites who were on a procession to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital Tuesday morning, Elendu Reports can report.
IMN members who were sighted at about 9am at the Gwarimpa/Kubwa area of the Murtala Mohammed express way were matching to the city centre. It was not immediately clear the motive behind today’s procession. Over 200 of them, majorly young male and female members were cladded in their Movement’s attire with flags and banners and chatting songs.
There are however reports that men of Nigerian Army were mobilised to the scene. An eyewitness told this newspaper that he saw soldiers with guns stationed in strategic positions including inside bush along Kubwa, Gwarimpa road.
There are reports that pedestrians in the area were attacked, vehicles and other properties destroyed by the rampaging IMN members.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that there is heavy presence of security men in the area.
Sporadic gunfire has been reported in the area by residents. As of the time of filing this report, casualty figures were not known, but there are claims that some members of the group were hit by bullets.
Link roads, access to the towns and villages around the area have been blocked.
An eyewitness told Elendu Reports that the busy 3rd Avenue Road in Gwarimpa is blocked.
According to another eyewitness who spoke to Elendu Reports, IMN members entered the Dawaki area through the hills, chanting and carrying a corpse on their heads through the streets of the suburb.
There are indications, according to security sources, that there will be an escalation of violence.
More security personnel have been deployed to the Murtala Mohammed express way.
The road is bordered on both sides by Gwarimpa, Dawaki and Kubwa towns.
In July, Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Shiites group in Nigeria and his wife, Zeenah were discharged and acquitted of the eight-count charge brought against them by the Kaduna State Government.
