Many feared dead as Shi’ite members, El-Rufai’s convoy clash in Kaduna

Patrick OdeyMarch 17, 2023

1 minute read

At least four persons have reportedly died following a clash between security operatives attached to the convoy of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Shi’ite members.

It was gathered the incident occurred on Thursday evening at Bakin Ruwa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Daily Trust, the clash happened around 4:15 pm when the governor visited the community.

It was gathered that the convoy came in contact with the Shi’ite members who were performing their weekly procession at Bakin Ruwa along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.

According to an eyewitness, some of the Shi’ite members started shouting as the convoy tried to pass through the procession.

He said the situation led to the commotion as the security men opened fire when some youth threw stones at them.

A relation of Yushehu Muhammed, one of the victims killed, said his late nephew was not a Shi’ia member but a commercial driver who was hit by a stray bullet.

‘It was a sad incident. I received a call that my nephew who was a commercial driver was hit by a bullet,” he said.

He demanded an investigation as well as compensation because his nephew was a married man.

Daily Trust also gathered that the security men arrested some youths at the scene and whisked them away.

Contacted, a Shi’ite representative in the state, Abdullahi Usman, said none of those killed was their member, adding that they were commercial drivers at a bus stop near where the incident happened.

He also said it was not true that their members clashed or pelted the convoy with stones.

The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mohammed Jalige, also confirmed the incident, saying the investigation was ongoing and that a statement would be issued later.