By Ibrahim Usman
A bomb targeted at the Ashura procession in Potiskum, Nigeria on Monday was reported to have killed many members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, while many sustained injuries.
At the time of filing this report, 27 people were reported martyred while 80 sustained various forms of injuries.
Members of the Islamic Movement in Potiskum were commemorating Ashura Day, in conformity with their counterparts Muslims across the globe.
The Ashura is an annual event commemorated by the Movement in major cities across Nigeria to mourn the brutal murder of Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad in the plain of Karbala, Iraq, 61 after Hijra.
Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky had on Sunday alerted on grand plan to infiltrate and attack the Ashura procession by the Nigerian security.
Ameer of the Movement in Potiskum, Malam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi, told the BBC Hausa that, the bomb was targeted at the procession, and exploded when people were dispersing and innocent mourners were killed and many sustained injuries.
To worsen the situation, he said, soldiers arrived the scene and opened fire on the already aggrieved and bereaved mourners. “We hold the Nigerian military and government accountable. They openly killed our brothers and sisters. Bombs are properties of security operatives, and not civilians. Why don’t they investigate trademark bombs that explode in this country to ascertain where it comes from? Because they know it is their handiwork, or their agents’. We hold them responsible”, said Nasidi.
No official of the Nigerian government, or its security outfit had made any statement on the incident.
It would be recalled that soldiers had killed 34 members of the Islamic Movement, including 3 biological son of Sheikh Zakzaky, during Quds Day procession on July 25, this year.
Members of the Islamic Movement in Potiskum were in the recent past target of attack by the Nigerian security, in which in one incident two people died,one was a brother to Malam Lawan Nasidi.