At least four persons were reportedly shot dead by security operatives attached to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State at Bakin Ruwa, Igabi local government area of the state.
The dead are thought to be members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria of the Shi’ite Islamic sect.
The governor’s convoy tried to break through a weekly religious procession of the group leading to an altercation and then clashes between the governor’s security and some members of the procession.
One eyewitness claimed some young men of the group wanted to hurl stones at the convoy when police opened fire at them.
At least one victim is reported to be an innocent bus driver unconnected to the procession but a Shi’ite member, Abdullahi Usman, said none of the victims was their member.
Police made several arrests and whisked them away and say they are investigating the incident.
Governor El Rufai is of the rival Sunni Islamic sect as is the majority of Nigerian Muslims.
Clashes between government forces and IMN are not new. A similar incident occurred on 12 December 2015 between the group and ex-Army chief, Tukur Burutai leaving hundreds of members reportedly killed when soldiers opened fire on the procession which blocked passage for the army boss in an event known as the Zaria Massacre.
The leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, faced long incarceration and charges of terrorism.
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