• Five Days After Police Killed 4 in Abuja, Gunmen Kill Three Shia Faithfuls in Gaidam, Yobe State, Set Incident Venue Ablaze
• Carted Away With Palestinian Flags, Other Valuables
By Shuaibu Abbah Abubakar
In a disturbing escalation of violence against Nigeria’s Shia community, gunmen suspected to be security forces in plain clothes attacked the Islamic Centre of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s disciples during midnight prayers in Gaidam, Yobe State, on 30/08/2024, killing three and setting the centre ablaze.
The assailants opened fire indiscriminately on youths observing prayers, killing three and later setting the centre ablaze.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the victims were not engaged in any illegal activities that would have warranted such a brutal attack.
“The victims were peacefully observing their prayers when the gunmen attacked. The gunmen, who arrived on motorcycles, displayed a level of professionalism and finesse, suggesting they were security personnel rather than typical bandits”, another eyewitness stated.
This horrific incident comes just five days after the Nigerian Police attacked Shias during the 2024 Arba’een symbolic trek in Abuja, resulting in:
– At least four fatalities
– Over 50 fatal injuries
– Over 100 arrests, with males and females packed in the same cell
– Removal of women’s hijabs
The Police have attempted to alter the narrative by accusing Shias of killing two Police officers, an allegation vehemently rejected by the Shias. They argue that even if the police were attacked, it was a false flag operation to mislead the public and discredit the Shias.
These incidents graphically highlight a disturbing pattern of violence against Shia faithfuls in Nigeria, raising serious concerns about the targeting of this community and excessive force by security forces. Further investigation is necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
