A policeman was on Thursday killed during a clash between his colleagues and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shi’ites in Kaduna state.
Many members of the sect also sustained injuries in the clash which started on Wednesday when members of the group trooped out in large numbers to witnessed the the trial of Ibrahim Zakzaky, their leader, at the Kaduna state high court.
Armed security personnel had prevented the group from accessing the court complex along Bida road, Kaduna but the situation became violent around Ibrahim Taiwo Road as the Shi’ites pelted the officers with stones and other dangerous objects.
Despite the release of teargas canisters, the protesters trooped out en masse.
Aliyu Mukhtar, spokesman of the Kaduna police command, said the deceased officer died after being hit by objects thrown at him by the Shi’ites.
“It was a large crowd, the shiite members as usual were hiding in the midst of people and when our men were trying to disperse them, they started throwing stones at them.
“The policeman was hit with stones several times and he fell down. He was taken to the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital were he gave up.”
He said 11 members of the group members were immediately arrested while the situation had been brought under control.