NOT fewer than three members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites have died in a clash between them and some personnel of the Nigerian Army, at Zuba, Abuja on Sunday.

Two soldiers were also injured in the clash that occurred when the Shiite members who were on a procession to Abuja mounted roadblock at Zuba.

The Military headquarters confirmed the incident in a statement issued by James Nyam, a Major General.

According to him, troops of Army Headquarters Garrison on official duty escorting ammunitions and missiles from Abuja to Army Central Ammunition Depot in Kaduna State were attacked by some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) sect at Zuba bridge, at about 3.00pm on Saturday 27th October.

The army authorities said the sect established an illegal roadblock denying motorists free passage.

“When the troops’ convoy attempted to clear the roadblock, they met stiff opposition from the sect. Members of the sect used various objects to barricade the road and also pelted the troops with stones and other dangerous items. They smashed both military and civilian vehicles’ windscreens and windows.

“They also attempted to overrun the escorts to cart away the ammunition and missiles the troops were escorting. This led to the troops opening fire to extricate themselves. Consequently, troops of 102 Guards Battalion in whose Area of Responsibility the incident occurred rushed to the convoy’s rescue.

“Unfortunately, during the encounter 3 members of the sect were killed while 2 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and are being treated at a military medical facility.

Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored in the general area and members of the public especially those plying the Abuja – Zuba Road are requested to go about with their normal activities with the assurance from the NA that no individual or persons would be allowed to disturb public peace and unprovoked attacks against military convoys.”