A clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites and men of the Nigeria Police Force have left no fewer than three dead, NewsNGR has learnt.
The victims include a trader and two officers of the FCT Police command.
According to eyewitnesses, the trader named Amiru, who was an onlooker, was shot in the chest while running for his life when police chased the protesters close to Chateau De La-Rey in Wuse Zone 6.
In the fracas that ensued, three police vehicles were set ablaze.
An eyewitness told Daily Trust that upon rushing the victim to Zone 3 hospital, the A&E unit was overwhelmed with the number of casualties of police officers. “So, he breathed his last while being rushed to Maitama District hospital.”
The IMN members were said to be on an Arbaeen demonstration to commemorate the 40th day after its Ashura anniversary.
“They pelted the officers with stones and seized guns from the police. They overpowered the police, so they had to run for their lives, the protesters further set fire to three police vehicles,” another eyewitness recounted.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, 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 (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.
“While several arrests have been effected, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers.
“He promises to bring those involved to book.
“The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored.”