Scores were feared killed on Tuesday after unidentified men in military uniform opened fire at some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN known as Shi’ites who staged the annual Arbaeen trek along 3rd Avenue, Gwarimpa district of Abuja.
It was gathered that the armed men who came in security patrol vans stormed the area and launched an attack on the Shiite members around 8:00 am.
Although details of the attack were still sketchy, one of the sources who spoke on conditions of anonymity told newsmen that the suspected operatives killed about eight people including passersby.
“It was around 8:00 am we started hearing gunshots along the road. The shooting lasted about 10 minutes.
”But after the shooting, the gunmen appeared to have succeeded in thoroughly dispersing the Arbaeen trekkers.
“I can’t say how many people were killed but the corpses we have counted were eight. What I can tell you is that up to eight people were killed in the incident.
” Some of the passersby who had nothing to do with the Shi’ites may have also been involved,” the source said.
Also, it took the intervention of men of the FCT police command to clear the road as the attack had led to the blockage of the Kubwa expressway, which left vehicles and commuters stranded.
However, when contacted about the incident, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh said a statement on the attack will be released shortly.
”If You Are Heading Towards Gwarinpa-Kubwa Expressway. Please Go Back Home For Now. There is a protest there. Sporadic Gunshots Reported. Security operatives are being deployed at the moment. Details later”
