Security agents have allegedly slaughtered two persons in kaduna state and another nine were killed in Katsina.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) says security agent carried out the sordid act while preventing Shi’ites from performing the Ashura festival.
Ashura is an annual procession undertaken by Shi’ites to mark the martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
According to the IHRC a horde of soldiers surrounded the Markaz mosque filled with worshipers, late on Tuesday.
“The worshippers have gathered to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram that are particularly significant in the Shia calendar”, the advocacy organisation said.
“Shortly before the the Kaduna Markaz mosque on Zango Road was encircled armoured military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers and also an ambulance were among a convoy of 18 military vehicles seen nearby.”
Nasir Mansur, an eyewitness at the scene of the Kaduna incident, revealed that armed personnel who laid siege on the Markaz mosque are still surrounding continued the site as of the time of filing this report.
“Today being the tenth day of Muharram, we usually have the annual Ashura procession, which initially took place peacefully,” he said.
“The attacks started when the security besieged the IMN centre shooting teargas after which they invited hoodlums who burned down the Muslim centre in Tudun Wada.”
Mansur said the security operatives were a combination of soldiers, police and civil defence while claiming that the agencies enlisted the help of thugs to carry out attacks on Shia members.
“Two people were killed by hoodlums invited by police who have also ordered them to kill any IMN member at sight. They were slaughtered in the presence of police. There are several other people injured.
“Yesterday, we were at the centre at Zango road in the afternoon for the usual mourning event. The joint military and police had earlier besieged the area since noon, taking over the Fudiyya primary school which was located about 100 meters away from the centre.
The IHRC also reported fatalities from other northern states where the Ashura processions are taking place.
“At least nine people are reported killed after security forces opened fire with live rounds on followers of IMNthe Islamic Movement of Nigeria taking part in a procession in Funtua in Katsina state.
The UK-based organisation said a similar occurrence is taking place in Jos, Plateau state.
“Troops are currently attacking the IMN centre with tear gas and live rounds in the city of Jos in Plateau state, inside which several people including a leader of the IMN, Sheikh Adamu Tsohos, are trapped.
“Sheikh Adamu Tsohos’s house in Jos was also reportedly under attack. Earlier people were stopped and arrested or turned back as they made their way into Jos to participate in the religious procession”, said IHRC.
Meanwhile, Sani Usman, army spokesperson, promised to find out the true state of things.