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Soldiers shot and killed man on our property – Shiites

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The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shiite Muslims, have claim that soldiers shot and killed an unknown man on a property belonging to the group on Sunday evening.

The President of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa, in as statement said the incident took place at Darur Rahma, a cemetery belonging to the IMN in the outskirts of Zaria.

Some soldiers went and shot point blank an unknown person, killing him instantly after tying his hands from behind. They went away leaving behind the corpse,” the statement read.

“Witnesses including villagers and members of the Movement guarding the cemetery, who saw the horrific scene scampered for safety as the soldiers opened fire at the man in cold blood.

“It is not clear who the person is or what he did to them. Even much more unclear is why they chose to perform this gruesome murder in our property.”

Musa said the army may have carried out the horrendous act in order to blackmail the IMN with whom it has been having a running battle for some years now.

“We feel obliged to inform the public knowing fully well the mischief of the Nigerian Army in trying to paint the Islamic Movement black in the eyes of the public especially in the last few days that they seem to redouble their efforts at soiling our name at all costs,” Musa said.

A picture of the victim was attached to the statement issued by Musa but it cannot be published because of its graphic nature.

The Shiite Muslim group have been declared an unlawful organisation by Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State following several clashes between the group and security agencies.

In December 2015, a clash between the IMN and soldiers led to the death of over 300 members of the group while one soldier lost his life.

Following the incident, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Leader of the group, was arrested alongside his wife. He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) without trial since then.

In December 2016, the Federal High Court Abuja gave a judgement directing the Federal Government to release Zakzaky and pay him N50 million in damages.

The Judgement has since been appealed by the federal government.