Shittes, rival Muslim youths clash in Jos

Shitte members and rival Muslim youths have clashed in Jos leaving one person dead.

The Shitte members were said to be protesting the continued  detention of their leader El-Zakzaky, his wife and some other members before the incident. Media and Communications Officer of the Special Task Force, also known as ‘Operation Safe Haven’, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, while confirming the incident to our correspondent in an interview on  Sunday said one person was killed. 

Iweha said the Commander of the task force, Maj. Gen. Tagbo Udeh, had ordered a ban on all forms of processions and rallies in the state, adding that such rallies or procession must get the tacit permission of the police. Hundreds of Shi’tte women, clad in all black, had staged a protest in Jos on Saturday, demanding the release of Zakzaky, his wife and members of the movement that were arrested when they clashed with the army on December 12 in Zaria for proper medical attention. 

They had also demanded the corpses of their members who were allegedly killed by the soldiers for proper burial according to Islamic tradition. Iweha told our correspondent that many members of the movement were also arrested when the otherwise peaceful procession turned violent at Bauchi road, leading to the death of one person. 

He said the incident had created tension around Bauchi road, Rikkos, Angwan Rogo, Dilimi, Nasarawa Gwom and many other Hausa dominated areas, leading to a clash between some rival Muslim sects. He said the timely intervention of security operatives saved what would have been a very urgly situation, stressing that the commander had also ordered all-round patrol and surveillance by operatives of the task force. 

The media officer said many of those arrested were being interrogated to ascertain their level of culpability in the incident, adding that at the end of the interrogation those found innocent would be released. On Sunday, security men and tanks were seen at strategic places in the metropolis, while there were heavy security presence around virtually all the churches and other worship centres in Jos and its environs. 

The security men wore combat uniforms, a situation that raised a lot of curiosity around Jos metropolis.

Iweha said, “The procession by the women later turned violent as rival Muslim youths clashed along Bauchi road as the Shi’tte members were proceeding to the Central Mosque and the commander has ordered round the clock security surveillance and patrol and we would not want to take chances.

“He has also ordered a ban on all forms of rallies, protest or procession in Jos and such rallies must get the permission of the police upon application,” he added.