The Shiites, under the auspices of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has distanced itself from the killing of a mobile police officer in Kaduna on Thursday, saying the police and some hired thugs were responsible for the act. 

The movement, at a press conference organised in Kaduna, yesterday, said allegations levied against its members protesting for the release of their leader in detention is untrue.

A statement read by the group’s spokesperson, Abdulmumin Giwa, said since the existence of the movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Elzakzaky, it never resorted to use of violence, despite series of persecution meted on its members across the country.

He said: “We have it on records that Senior Police Officers met thugs called Civilian JTF, a day before the incident at a place called Kinkinau Quarters of Kaduna and plotted this callous and unfortunate murders to be carried out, when we came out to conduct our free-Zakzaky processions.