There was tension at the Julius Berger area of Abuja, yesterday, following a clash between members of Sheikh Ibraheem Elzakzaky’s group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as and men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Unofficial reports said 10 persons, including policemen, were killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in the violence.
Also, patrol vehicles deployed to the scene were burnt down as the police battled the Shiites in the area.
Motorists plying the route promptly diverted to alternative routes to avoid being killed and having their vehicles damaged.
As fallout, the popular Wuse Market has been shut to prevent hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to loot and vandalise shops.
Trouble started after members of the Shiite movement gathered in their numbers to embark on the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja, which the police opposed as they did not have clearance to do so.
In the argument that ensued, the IMN members were said to have attacked policemen, who in turn fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
It was gathered that gunshots killed several persons, including policemen.
However, a statement signed by Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, for the IMN, claimed the police killed several Shiite members who were in a peaceful procession. He said the group carried out a similar procession on Saturday in Mararaba, a satellite town in Nasarawa State near the FCT, without being harassed and wondered why the police attacked the group at the Berger junction.
In the statement, titled “Police attacked the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja and killed numerous mourners,” Mainasara said, “We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arbaeen 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 searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.
“The Arbaeen Trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”
The FCT Police Command confirmed there was a clash in the city, stating that two officers were killed; three others were unconscious; and in critical condition in hospital; and three patrol vehicles burnt by members of the group in Abuja.
FCT Police Command’s public relations officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said members of the IMN attacked the police checkpoint at Berger Junction, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (home-made bombs in bottles with kerosene), knives and other weapons.
Adeh, in a statement, said the police have arrested several persons and that the situation is under control and normalcy restored.
The statement read: “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, and knives.
“While several arrests have been effected, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Benneth C. Igweh, condemned the unprovoked attack on police officers. He promised to bring those involved to book. The situation is under control and normalcy restored.
Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
Comments