The Army has confirmed that three members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) or Shiite, died on Saturday, while two solders sustained injuries when the sect clashed with troops at Zuba in the FCT.
The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja, Maj.-Gen. James Myam confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
Myam explained that troops of the Garrison were attacked at about 3 p.m. at Zuba bridge by the sect as they escort ammunitions and missiles from Abuja to Army Central Ammunition Depot in Kaduna State.
“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,” Myam said.
He, however, said normalcy had been restored in the area and advised members of the public especially those plying the Abuja-Zuba road, to go about their normal activities.
The commander assured the public that “no individual or persons would be allowed to disturb public peace or provoke attacks against military convoys.” (NAN)
Nigerian Army Seeks to justify the savagery meted to us -IMN
Meanwhile, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria,IMN has reacted to the statement by the military.
IMN spokesman, Ibrahim Musa who issued a statement on the group’s position said :Our attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and mischievous press statement by the Nigerian army, signed by one Major General JAMES MYAM, the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison to justify the bestiality they meted the innocent, unarmed members of the Islamic Movement yesterday, while carrying out their solemn religious duty of Arbaeen mourning procession at Zuba
“We categorically refute the storyline of the Nigerian Army that they shot at the peaceful procession, which had peacefully moved over for ten kilometers before the unprovoked attacks, because the mourners established an illegal roadblock denying motorists free passage, used various objects to barricade the road and also pelted the troops with stones and other dangerous items or that they smashed both military and civilian vehicles’ windscreens and windows and also attempted to overrun the escorts to cart away the ammunition and missiles the troops were escorting.
“These age long worn-out malevolent storylines are no longer being believed by members of the public because over time, the Islamic Movement has convincingly demonstrated its peaceful disposition while conducting its religious obligations, even in the face of extreme official persecution. It is not their nature to attack security agents, government properties or fellow citizens during their protests. The Nigerian Army should please find other storylines, but certainly not these.
“What was witnessed yesterday was done in broad daylight and in full glare of the public. Video clips of both the procession prior to the unprovoked, brutal attacks and of the fierce attacks by soldiers at unarmed people scrambling for cover while the soldiers take deliberate steps to seek them and shoot them dead are all in the public domain. Therefore, the government and its Army cannot confuse members of the public by going further with their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda with a view to malign the Movement and its leadership.
“The public is led to believe that the government and its Army are resorting to these vicious campaigns in desperation. Yet, they would never wish away or bury their crimes against humanity.”
