BREAKING: Many Officers Killed, Injured, Patrol Vehicles Burnt As Nigerian Police Clash With Shi’ites
A violent clash between Nigerian police and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday resulted in the deaths of two police operatives, according to the police force.
Additionally, three officers are currently hospitalised and unconscious due to injuries sustained during the confrontation, the police added.
Naija News House earlier reported that some armed policemen had fired teargas canisters and live ammunition at IMN members, popularly called Shi’ites, killing an unspecified number of persons and injuring several others during the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja.
The event which started on Saturday, August 24, is to commemorate and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain (AS), who was beheaded at Karbala (in present-day Iraq) in 61 AH, equivalent to 680 CE.
Imam Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib (AS) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sayyida Fatima bintu Muhammad (SAWA), as well as the younger brother of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS).
It was gathered that the police violently descended on the IMN during their procession at the Wuse Market.
The situation led to commotion in the area as motorists and passersby scampered to safety with several members of the movement sustaining varying degrees of injury.
An unspecified number of the IMN members were reportedly killed but this could not be independently.
Confirming the incident on behalf of the movement, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto in a statement, said those who sustained gunshots injuries had been taken to an undisclosed hospital while they were still compiling the number of those who lost their lives.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
However, the FCT police command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday said two police personnel were killed, three others injured and, in the hospital, while three police patrol vehicles were burnt.
According to her, IMN members attacked a police checkpoint unprovoked. She claimed that they wielded machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally-made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
According to the police spokesperson, several arrests have been made.
The statement reads in part, “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.”
“The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored. Further development will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
