A video footage has emerged showing the moment soldiers opened fire on Shiite Muslims yesterday in Abuja.
The security operatives opened fire members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria who embarked on a symbolic annual Arbaeen annual trek at Zuba, Abuja.
Over six Shiite members were killed and many others injured in the clash between the sect and soldiers.
It was learnt that the Shiites were having a religious protest which began from the Suleja area of Niger State when they encountered the soldiers around Zuba area.
It was gathered that the some of the Shiite Muslims who started the walk from Suleja, Niger state to Abuja were dispersed by security men who allegedly fired teargas and eventually live bullets at the crowd.
Meanwhile, the army has issued a press statement on the clash with Shiite Muslims.
The army said “Troops of Army Headquarters Garrison on official duty escorting ammunition and missiles from Abuja to Army Central Ammunition Depot in Kaduna State were attacked by some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) sect at Zuba bridge”.
“The sect who were supposedly in a procession, established an illegal road block denying motorists free passage. When the troops’ convoy attempted to clear the road block, they met stiff opposition from the sect”.
“Members of the sect used various objects to barricade the road and also pelted the troops with stones and other dangerous items. They smashed both military and civilian vehicles’ windscreens and windows”.
“They also attempted to overrun the escorts to cart away the ammunition and missiles the troops were escorting. This led to the troops opening fire to extricate themselves. Consequently, troops of 102 Guards Battalion in whose Area of Responsibility the incident occurred rushed to the convoy’s rescue”.
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