77 Shi’te members araigned before Kano magistrate court

About 77 Sh’ite members were on Thursday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court in Kano when pandemonium broke out on Wednesday in the ancient city of Kano, following a clash between the Sh’ite members and some irate youths.


While 26 members of the sect were arraigned before Magistrate courts 18, 20 and 28 respectively for the hearing of their offences.

They were charged for criminal conspiracy and conduct, likely to cause a breach of the peace, as well as illegal assembly.

However, the presiding judge of the Magistrate court, Mohammed Idris, granted all the suspects bail on the condition of providing a surety each and adjourned the case.

It would be recalled that pandemonium broke out in the ancient city of Kano on Wednesday when hundreds of youth attacked El-Zakyzaky (Shi’ite) members, during their procession along the streets in observance of the Ashoura,marking the 10th day of Muharram, which coincided with the first month of the Islamic calendar by all Muslims worldwide.

The prompt intervention of the police averted what could have snowballed to a bloody clash between the angry youths and the Shi’ite members.

According to findings, the youths were reported to be residents of the area of Gwammaja Quarters.

Also, it was gathered that trouble started when the Shi’ite members in their thousands allegedly blockaded major roads during their procession, despite the ongoing ban by the police.

An eyes witness accont, Muhammed Audu, said, as early as 7:30am, the Shi’ite members came from neighbouring states and converged at the popular Abattoir, located at the centre of the metropolis.

Furthermore, it was also disclosed that as the Shi’ite members were preparing to proceed to their designated Fagge mosque, adjacent to Fagge Police Station and the Local Government Secretariat, where they usually observe the Ashoura, confrontation erupted between them and the angry youths.

Similarly, Audu disclosed that the residents began to hurl missiles on them to register their displeasure over the conduct of the Shi’ite procession.

It was further gathered that the Shi’ite members provoked the residents, following the blockage of their business premises, apparently preventing them from carrying out their legitimate daily transactions.