By Ankeli Emmanuel (Sokoto)
Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite in Sokoto, Shiekh Sidi Mainasara, on Wednesday, led other clerics from Sokoto and neighbouring States in a funeral prayers for three of their members allegedly killed by the Nigeria Police last week.
Those killed include, 41 years old Hassan Abubakar Sokoto from Illela unit, 30 years old Imrana Umar Yabo and 18 years old, Bello Muhammad Illela while others are still been treated for gunshot injuries they sustained on that fateful day.
Speaking in an emotion ladden voice during the burial on Wednesday August 25, 2021, wife of slain Hassan Abubakar, Malama Zulaiha Yahaya said, she is happy and filled with joy that her husband died a matyr. (Shaheed).
"I am very happy and I am very sure that the host of heavens are equally happy with my husband hence he died in the service of Allah. There could have been no better dead than this. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul Aljanat Firdausi. And for the children he left behind, may Allah become their guide and sustainer.
"My slain husband has six children in all. Three from me and three from my second. And for those police officers that killed husband, I will never forgive them. Allah will pay them back in their own coin".
On her part, Malama Aisha Umar, mother of 30-years old slain Imrana Umar Yabo, said she is short of words as to how the security authorities that are supposed to protect innocent worshipers often turn out to be killing harmless people, leaving terrorists and bandits to be terrorism communities.
According to her, all she can say is that she is very happy that her son, Imrana died in the service of Allah. "I am very sure that Allah will reward him with Aljanat Firdausi. For those, that killed, Imrana, I will never forgive them. His blood will continue to haunt them. I will never, ever forgive them for killing innocent worshippers".
Recall that the Sokoto Police command had earlier in a refutal by its spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, denied killing members of the IMN, saying the police only went to their procession venue to halt crisis that erupted between them (Shiites) and some area boys.
Said ASP Sanusi, "On Thursday 19th August,2021, large group of Shi'ite members were on demonstrations along Mabera kantin Sani area, Sokoto. While on demonstrations, some group of area boys attacked them which resulted to crises between the two groups. On receiving the distress call, a team of police men were deployed to Mabera kantin sani area of the clash in order to curtail the situation and restore peace in the area.
"The police carried out these exercise professionally in line with due procedure without any act of mayhem to the members of the public. During these exercise, neither Shi'ite member or any body was killed or injured as purported by some conventional and social media outlets".
But reacting to this refutal, the leader of Shiite in Sokoto, Shiekh Sidi Mainasara, warned that they cannot continue to watch the Nigerian security agencies kill their members without taking legal and other relevant actions subsequently. NNL.
