Two Officers, Others Dead As Police, Shiites Clash In Abuja

Two Officers, Others Dead As Police, Shiites Clash In Abuja

…Many injured

Two Police officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have been confirmed dead, with many injured following a violent clash between the Police and members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as the Shiites.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that the clash happened on Sunday afternoon during the Shiites’ “ Arbaeen Symbolic Trek” in Wuse, Abuja.

While the Police confirmed that two of it’s officers died during the clash, with three other officers in a critical medical condition, the IMN leaders said they have not been able to ascertain how many of its members were killed.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said that members of the Movement attacked officers who were on duty at the Wuse Area of Abuja.

She 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 (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 (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.

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Meanwhile, the Movement in an official statement, debunked the report that their members attacked the Police. They alleged that the Police open fire on its members who were on a peaceful religious procession.

Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, who signed the statement disclosed 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.

“ Before the commencement of the trek, we have searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled”, he added.

Two Officers, Others Dead As Police, Shiites Clash In Abuja