Nigeria plans to attack Shias during Arba’een ceremonies: IMN

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) says it has received information

that the Nigerian army plans to attack processions scheduled for the

mourning rituals of Arba’een.
The group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said on Tuesday that military

intelligence officers had told the IMN that the attacks will be

launched against processions scheduled for November 20 that marks 40

days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the third Shia

Imam.
Meanwhile, the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission has called

on Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safety of

mourners taking part in the procession.
Last month, at least 20 people were killed and several others injured

when Nigerian forces opened fire at Shia mourners commemorating

Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (Peace be upon him).

The Nigerian state of Kaduna also banned the IMN as the state

crackdown against the Muslim community continues.
In December 2015, Nigerian forces raided the house of the IMN’s leader

Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and arrested him after

killing those attempting to protect him, including one of the

movement's senior leaders and its spokesman.
The raid occurred a day after Nigerian soldiers attacked Shia Muslims

attending a ceremony at a religious center in the city of Zaria,

accusing them of blocking the convoy of the army’s chief of staff and

attempting to assassinate him.
On August 1, the Islamic Human Rights Commission released a report,

saying the Nigerian army killed 348 Shia Muslims during the attack on

the religious ceremony.