Youth Attack Shiites In Kaduna, Demolish School

Irate youth in Tudun Wada community in Kaduna South Local Government Area, attacked and killed four suspected members of the Shi’a sect, and torched the residence of their group’s leader Wednesday, witnesses said.

The attack came a day after a standoff between soldiers and members of the group, outlawed last week by the Kaduna government.

The mob also demolished the Shiite’s Islamic school in the area.

The incident occurred a day after a clampdown by Nigerian security forces prevented the Shiites from embarking on their planned annual procession.

It was learnt that an attempt by the Shiites to address a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, was botched as all of the journalists went underground.

Mallam Bala, a shopowner at Zango road, said the angry youth prevented the Shiite members from entering their communities after being dispersed by police tear gas.

“They were not in their traditional black dress, while being dispersed with police tear gas, but were being identified by vigilant youths who engaged them in a fight. Those who resisted were killed; the house of their leader Mukhtar was burnt down and their Markas (school) is currently being demolished by youths,” he said.

Eleven have been reportedly killed across Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto states, when Shiites members and youths clashed during their procession.

In Tudun Wada community of Kaduna South Local Government Area, irate youth attacked and killed four suspected members of the Shi’a sect, and torched the residence of their group’s leader Wednesday, witnesses said.

Mallam Bala, a shopowner at Zango road, said the angry youth prevented the Shiite members from entering their communities after being dispersed by police tear gas.

“They were not in their traditional black dress, while being dispersed with police tear gas, but were being identified by vigilant youths who engaged them in a fight. Those who resisted were killed; the house of their leader Mukhtar was burnt down and their Markas (school) is currently being demolished by youths,” he said.

He said fire service helped put out fire at Mukhtar’s house.

“The situation is under control,” a police source has confirmed to our reporter.

Bashir Sani, another resident of the area, said the youth broke into the Shiite leader’s house, carted away valuables before setting the house ablaze.

“The Shiite members died of injuries sustained while being lynched with sticks and machetes,” he said.