The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) says three of its members have died in police custody since the Monday, July 22 clash between the group’s members and police in Abuja.
The police said it arrested 54 Shiites, as the IMN members are popularly called, following the bloody clash that led to the death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations at the FCT Command, DCP Usman Umar, and a young NYSC member attached to Channels Television, Precious Owolabi.
According to the IMN, the dead Shiites were among 18 of the group’s members that sustained bullet wounds and are being held by police allegedly without proper medical attention.
The President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, who raised the alarm in a Friday statement in Abuja, the remaining 15 shot Shiites stand the risk of dying if not given urgent medical care.
“All entreaties made by relatives of the detainees for the police authorities to allow them have medication have fallen on deaf ears, an indication that they are waiting for them to slowly die in excruciating pains.
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“It is unfortunate that when it comes to dealing with the Shiites, the security agencies throw all known laws and conventions to the dogs, and indulge in savagery as exhibited when they, Wednesday, dumped a Muslim brother of the Islamic Movement by the roadside after torturing him and pouring boiling water over him.
“We are calling on the International Community and Human Right Activists and organizations to have a look at the inhumanity taking place here where unarmed citizens are kept in dehumanizing conditions.
“We also call on the police to hand over to us the wounded persons so that at least their lives can be saved. The dead bodies of the supporters of the Islamic Movement should be handed to us also, so that their families can give them a befitting Islamic funeral rite. Burying them in mass graves is a war crime which the police should be wary off in the future.”
The Shiites are protesting the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
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