100 killed as Nigerian forces open fire at Shia gathering

Nigerian armed forces have opened fire on a group of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)’s followers, killing nearly 100 and injuring hundreds more in the northern city of Kano, the movement says.

Hawzah News Agency-The casualties were caused after soldiers fired live rounds and tear gas at mourners during a peaceful march held ahead of the upcoming Arbaeen mourning rituals, which mark 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Witnesses said that they saw dozens of bodies sprawled on the ground before the Nigerian forces evacuated them.

Violence broke out when police tried to disperse thousands of people, including women and children, who were marching from Kano to Kaduna for the mourning rituals.

Nigerian forces claimed they opened fire on the crowd after one of their officers was hurt.

The latest deadly attack on the mourning march comes despite a letter by the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) that had called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safety of the IMN followers during the Arba’een commemorations.

Last month, at least 20 people were killed and several others injured when Nigerian forces opened fire at Muslim mourners commemorating Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Husayn.

Followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have been subjected to heavy-handed crackdown since last year when the army attacked a religious ceremony in their stronghold of Zaria in the north.

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