We lost an officer but 8 Shi’ites died, say police

The Kano state command of the Nigerian police force has confirmed that eight members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, were killed in the state on Monday.

Rabiu Yusuf, commissioner of police in the state, disclosed this to reporters, saying his command also lost an officer.

Yusuf said the officer was killed by the Shi’ites, who were allegedly armed with dangerous weapons.

“At about 8am on Monday, thousands of Shiites denied motorists and other road users free access to Kano-Kaduna expressway between Kwanar Dawaki and Tamburawa village in Dawakin Kudu local government area of the state,” he said.

“The Shi’ites also attacked innocent citizens, damaged police and personal property, thereby causing mayhem which led to general disturbances of public peace in the state.

“We lost an officer, while another sustained injuries. Eight members of the sect were confirmed dead.”

Yusuf said an AK 47 riffle was recovered from the group, adding that 10 members of the sect had been arrested.

Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the sect, said there were many causalities in the operation allegedly carried out by the Nigerian army, Department of the State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian police force.