BLOODY clash broke out in Zaria yesterday, when members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as the Shittes Islamic sect engaged in gun battle with the Police with no fewer than three persons allegedly killed while about 60 others were injured.
Besides, members of the Shiite sect in Kaduna had earlier staged a peaceful demonstration in the state capital in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Two incidents, however, heightened tension in the state resulting in the military and Police personnel under the states anti-crime outfit, Operation Yaki particularly in Zaria and Kaduna cities.
The clash, it was gathered, broke out during a procession by members of the sect in Kofar Doka, an area in Zaria town.
The dead and injured persons were allegedly caught in a cross fire during the exchange of gunfire.
Eye witnesses told journalists that the Shiite protest, which took off on a peaceful note turned violent with the arrival of some armed policemen and soldiers, sending people scampering for safety.
A security source said the Police got an intelligence report of an impending attack on them by the Shiite sect and then mobilised to secure the lives and property of the people of the area.
The source added that an Assistant Superintendent of Police controlling traffic around the area was allegedly attacked by the Shiite members, who allegedly snatched his gun and shot him.
The mobile policemen stationed around the area consequently moved in to retrieve the seized gun from the fleeing Shiite members.
In the process, there was exchange of gunshots during which three persons were feared killed and 60 others seriously injured.
The clash has caused panic among the residents of the area who fear a reprisal attack.
At the time of filing this report, more soldiers and anti-riot policemen were being drafted from Kaduna to maintain the peace.
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Tambari Mohammed, declined to comment when contacted, but said that he was on his way to the scene of the incident "to assess the situation."
In a swift reaction, the Kaduna State Government said there was no cause for alarm as security agencies were in control of the situation.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Umar Sani said residents of the state had no cause to panic and should go about their normal duties.
He confirmed that two Shiites died in the crisis and their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
In a related development, hundreds of Shiites staged a peaceful protest in Kano against the plight of Moslems in Palestine and other parts of the world.
The protesters who marched through the road linking Fagge to the Emir of Kano palace expressed disappointment with Israel and its allies who have allegedly been oppressing Moslems globally.
Malam Abdulhamid Bello who later addressed the protesters named the occupation of Jerusalem which harbours the Al-agsa Mosque by the Israelies as part of the grouse of members of his group led by sheik Yakub Ibrahim Zakzaky.
He noted: "As we have been stating over the years, the importance of this day cannot be over-emphasised. It is a day set aside for reminding the world of the significance of the holy Al-agsa Mosque in Jerusalem and its desecration perpetrated by the Zionists usurpers for decades.
"But wait, in what condition is the holy Al-agsa Mosque now? A fair answer to this question is discernable to any ardent follower of current affairs. It is a known fact that the holy mosque and its environs are under the clutches of the Zionists of Israel. Since the day they usurped this Palestinian land, peace has become elusive.
"Massacres, demolition, target bombings, assassinations and imprisonments by the Zionists are the order of the day. When will these brutal activities unleashed on defenceless Moslems come to an end?"
The cleric condemned the war unleashed by the American government and its allies on Islamic countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq under the pretext that they are staging a war against terrorism in the world.
He argued that the abuse of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and camp X-ray Guantanamo by what he calls "occupation forces" are pointers to the insincere and ungodly acts of Israel and its American allies.
Amidst chants of "Allahu Akbar", Bello enjoined Moslem across the world to wake up and join hands in ensuring the defeat of the enemies of Islam.
From Saxone Akhaine and Adamu Abuah, Kano
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