CITIZENS COMPASS–Two Policemen were confirmed dead while three others were injured on Sunday, when a procession organized by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, reportedly turned bloody in Wuse District, Abuja.
The Islamic Movement has alleged that the police attacked the peaceful Arba’een symbolic trek in Wuse, Abuja, killing and injuring many of its members.
The Movement, in a statement, signed by Sheikh Sidi Sokoto for the Islamic Movement and the Shi’ites leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, said the walk, which was previously held in Masaka and Zuba axis on Saturday, was peaceful and successful.
They added that medical practitioners were currently attending to the injured protesters, adding that details of those killed, injured, and arrested would be made available subsequently.
“We wish to inform the public that the police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een symbolic trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners. While trying to disperse the Arbaeen trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners.
“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen trek mourners. Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we had searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme would end as scheduled. The Arbeen trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”
In a viral video of the incident police vehicles and several other cars were set ablaze on a major highway in Wuse. The footage captured some officers chasing the protesters as smoke billowed from the burning vehicles.
A background voice from the video claims that some police officers have been killed in the confrontation.
In a statement titled “Shi’ite attack on five police officers in Wuse:, Two police officers confirmed dead, three left unconscious,” spokesperson, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh,
said, “The FCT police command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, where two police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three Police patrol vehicles set ablaze.
“The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
“While several arrests have been effected, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, Psc. mni. condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book.
“The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored.
“Further development will be communicated in due course.’
