On Thursday, an incident involving security operatives attached to the convoy of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Shi’ite members in Bakin Ruwa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reportedly left four people dead.
Although details are scarce, sources indicate that the clash occurred around 4:15pm while the governor was visiting the community.
According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred when some of the Shi’ite members started shouting as the convoy attempted to pass through their weekly procession.
The situation escalated when some youths reportedly threw stones at the convoy, prompting security operatives to open fire.
One of the victims, Yushehu Muhammed, was not a member of the Shi’ia community but a commercial driver who was allegedly hit by a stray bullet.
A relation of the deceased has demanded an investigation and compensation, as his nephew was a married man.
Daily Trust also learned that security operatives arrested some youths at the scene and took them away.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Shi’ite community in the state, Abdullahi Usman, denied that any of those killed were members of their group, insisting they were commercial drivers at a bus stop near where the incident happened.
Usman also refuted claims that their members clashed with or pelted the governor’s convoy with stones.
The State Police command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed that an investigation was underway and promised to issue a statement later.
However, the Commissioner Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, did not respond to calls or a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
