Two unidentified members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) were allegedly killed by mobile Policemen in Kano, who were drafted to stop the Arbaeen annual trek that started peacefully in Kano on Sunday.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Ibrahim Musa, President of the Media Forum of IMN,also called Shiites.

According to Musa, thousands of IMN members started the trek from Kofar Mazugal inside Kano metropolis in the morning around 10:00, observed afternoon prayers at Kofar Nasarawa and terminated the day’s trek at the popular Lado overhead bridge.

He said: “It was while people were dispersing that mobile Policemen arrived the scene and started firing teargas and eventually live bullets. A Muslim brother and sister were confirmed shot and killed by the Police, and their corpses taken by their attackers. Many people were reportedly injured.

“When news spread that mobile Police had laid siege on the Arbaeen trekkers in the outskirts of Kano, a London-based human rights group, IHRC (Islamic Human Rights Commission), issued a press release calling for restraint on the part of the Police authorities.”

Musa also quoted IHRC as saying: “We are deeply concerned at reports of this build-up given the past attacks on the Islamic Movement by the Police and armed forces. We demand the Nigeria Police and authorities de-escalate the situation immediately.”

Said Musa: “While terminating today’s trek, a leading member of IMN, Dr. Sunusi Abdulqadir called on members of IMN to go back home peacefully as they came, and return tomorrow to continue the march to Zaria.”