Several persons have been reportedly killed following a clash between the members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites and security details attached to the convoy of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state.

El-Rufai and the leader of the Shiites group, Sheikh Ibrahim El- Zakzaky, have not had the best of relationship dating back to decades.

The incident reportedly happened on Thursday in the Rigasa area along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bypass in Igabi local government when the Governor went to flag off the reconstruction of the road that leads to the Kaduna International Airport.

The governor’s convoy was said to have ran into the IMN members who were protesting along the road demanding the release of international travel documents of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El- Zakzaky, and his wife Zeenat by the Federal Government.

The protest was largely peaceful, according to witnesses.

The Shiite members marched from Gwamna Road junction heading to Bakinruwa along the expressway when they met the Governor’s convoy coming in the opposite direction.

The protesters were said to have insisted on marching on the road without giving way for the oncoming convoy. This was said to have infuriated security details attached to the Governor’s convoy who immediately opened fire on the innocent protesters, and in the process killed some of them and injured several others.

Another account said the Shiite members were reportedly  heavily armed with dangerous weapons during the procession, and on sighting the governor’s convoy, they started attacking the vehicles with catapults and other dangerous weapons, and in the process injured some occupants of the vehicles and passers-by.