Islamic group reacts, claims members killed by police
“I ‘m saddened by the unprovoked attack and brutal killing of our officers...” -FCT Command Spokesperson
By Ola Kay
Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ites, have clashed with the police in Wuse district of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, on Sunday resulting in the death of two police officers and three others injured, even as residents scampered for safety.
The Pinnacle Times gathered that the IMN procession turned violent when operatives of the FCT Police Command tried to disperse the Shi’ites members to during the sect Arba’een symbolic trek which the members observed
This is not the first time the proscribed Islamic sect would be carrying out procession in many parts of the FCT, but this time took an unforseen violent dimension against the approval of authorities.
A day before the procession, the group had carried our similar march at Masaka and Zuba axis which ended peacefully and successfully.
When our reporter visited the scene at Wuse, the entrance of the market was closed to the public, to forestall escalation of the incident.
But a closer look around the adjourning fence, close to the major road overlooking an estate in Mombasa Street indicated holes forcefully bore as escape routes by some security operatives whom we learnt sought refuge when the situation spiralled out of control.
Also visible were two police patrol vehicles ( including the Dangote Donated car) burnt to ashes and another Toyota Camry (tiny light) badly vandalized with the windshields broken. As at the time The Pinnacle Times visited, smoke from the burning vehicles were yet to varnish completely.
A resident close to the scene recounted her experience of how teargas shots rent the air, causing huge discomfort to people in the surrounding, apart from bullets from gunshots flying in all directions.
“Some men came to us begging to safe their head from the horrific scene.
“My daughter is yet to recover from the horror occasioned by the violence that ensued.
“We were all scared to the marrow, until we started seeing soldiers coming in and more policemen being dispatched to the scene,” a woman who pleaded to be anonymous stated.
An eyewitness also informed that the violence would have spread beyond the level it assumed, when some hoodlums located close to the junction leading to the estate repelled the violent demonstrators and succeeded in preventing the sect members from taking control of the area.
In a statement, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, alleged that members of the Islamic group had attacked and killed two policemen.
She also stated that three officers were rushed to the hospital for medical emergency in the wake of the incident.
The statement by the command read further that, “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 (2) police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three (3) Police patrol vehicles set ablaze.
“The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs-locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene and knives.”
The command’s spokesperson confirmed the arrest of persons, while stating that normalcy had since returned to the scene of the incident.
Shi’ites Reaction
But in its own reaction through a statement by the Shi’ites spokesperson, the Islamic group alleged that numerous members of the sect were killed in the course of the incident.
Spokesperson of IMN, Sidi Mainasara, claimed that men of FCT police command killed “numerous members” of the group during their procession.
“We wish to inform the public that 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.“
Meanwhile, the situation had been brought under control, even as a combined team of the military and the police joint security operatives were seen mounting stop and search around the area.
On her verified X account, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, Josephine Adeh posted a message condemning the killing of her colleagues in line of duty.
Adeh said: “I ‘m saddened by the unprovoked attack and brutal killing of our officers by this proscribed, heartless individual called Shi’ite members.This heinous act is unacceptable.Those responsible must face the wrath of the law. Restwell our gallant officers.We’ll haunt your killer.”
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