Four persons have been reportedly killed in a clash between members of Islamic sect, with security operatives in governor Nasir El-Rufai’s convoy in Bakin Ruwa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday.
Though details of the incident were sketchy at the press time, it was learnt that El-Rufai’s convoy came in contact with the Shi’ite members when they were performing their weekly procession at Baki Ruwa along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway when the governor visited the community.
Shi’ite members started shouting as the convoy tried to pass through the procession, according to an eye witness, Tasiu Muhammed.
Commotion immediately ensued and Shi’ite began throwing stones before Security personnel opened fire at them.
A relation of Yushehu Muhammed, one of the victims killed, said his late nephew was not a Shi’ia member but a commercial driver who was hit by a stray bullet.
‘It was a sad incident. I received a call that my nephew who was a commercial driver was hit by a bullet,” he said.
He lamented that his nephew who was killed was a married man doing his driving business and not their member, while he demanded that investigation be carried out compensation to take care of his family.
While some persons sustained gunshot injuries, some youth suspected to have been members of the Shi’ite members arrested and whisked away by the operatives.
Contacted, a Shi’ite representative in the state, Abdullahi Usman, said none of those killed was their member.
According to him, they were commercial drivers at a bus stop near where the incident happened.
He also said it was not true that their members clashed or pelted the convoy with stones.
The State Police command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige, said investigation was ongoing and that a statement would be issued later.
