LAGOS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- At least one policeman lost his life following a clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and the police in northern Nigeria's Kaduna on Thursday.
Members of the IMN, also known as "Shiites," on Thursday took to streets to protest what they described as continued "incarceration" of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and other members by the Nigerian government.
This happened just as El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeena were arraigned before a court in the heart of the city.
The trial failed to hold due to the absence of the presiding judge.
A policeman was allegedly stoned to death during the incident when a patrol van belonging to the Nigeria Police Force was set ablaze around the Kano road area of the city.
State police spokesperson, Mukhtar Aliyu, who confirmed the incident, told Xinhua that he was going to give details later.
Gunshots were heard in along Ahmadu Belllo Way, the economic center of the state, as well as the Katsina road area.
The incident forced traders to close shops and scamper for safety. Human and vehicle movements were also hampered.
El-Zakzaky was charged by the state government on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace, among others.
The Shiite leader and his wife were first arraigned on May 15, but the court adjourned to June 21 for hearing on bail application.
