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LequteMan
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Armed Nigerian soldiers and other security operatives yesterday swooped down on a gathering of the sect’s members in Kaduna days after the state government outlawed the movement.
The security operatives surrounded the worshipers who were gathered in a building to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram that are particularly significant in the Shia calendar.
“Shortly before the Kaduna Markaz mosque on Zango Road in the state capital was encircled by armoured military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers and also an ambulance were among a convoy of 18 military vehicles seen nearby,” the group said.
This is according to a statement issued by the UK-based Islamic Human Rights Commission.
It urged the federal government to withdraw the soldiers and allow the worshipers to continue to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of assembly and worship.
An eyewitness however said the standoff was at the residence of a senior Shi’a leader, Muhtar Sahabi, and not a mosque, with worshippers trapped inside.
He said dozens of armed soldiers and riot police officers surrounded the compound and were waiting for those gathered inside to leave.
He said some women and children who started coming out were sent back by the soldiers.
“It appears they want to make arrests following the recent ban,” the person said.
UPDATE: Nigerian Soldiers Withdraw From Shitte Gathering in Kaduna
The security operatives surrounded the worshipers who were gathered in a building to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram that are particularly significant in the Shia calendar.
“Shortly before the Kaduna Markaz mosque on Zango Road in the state capital was encircled by armoured military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers and also an ambulance were among a convoy of 18 military vehicles seen nearby,” the group said.
This is according to a statement issued by the UK-based Islamic Human Rights Commission.
It urged the federal government to withdraw the soldiers and allow the worshipers to continue to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of assembly and worship.
An eyewitness however said the standoff was at the residence of a senior Shi’a leader, Muhtar Sahabi, and not a mosque, with worshippers trapped inside.
He said dozens of armed soldiers and riot police officers surrounded the compound and were waiting for those gathered inside to leave.
He said some women and children who started coming out were sent back by the soldiers.
“It appears they want to make arrests following the recent ban,” the person said.
UPDATE: Nigerian Soldiers Withdraw From Shitte Gathering in Kaduna
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