Tension in Abuja as Shi’ite group kills ten in clash with police; several Shi’ite members arrested
The FCT Police Command on Sunday said two Policemen were killed and three others injured as Police clashed with members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group.
According to the FCT Police Command, ten persons in all were killed in the fracas between members of the El Zakzaky movement and police at the Julius Berger area of Abuja on Sunday.
Chaos erupted when members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), identified as the Shiite group, allegedly attacked a police checkpoint at Wuse junction.
According to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the assailants were armed with machetes, knives, and improvised explosive devices, described as locally made bombs in bottles filled with kerosene.
The clash led to the destruction of police patrol vehicles, with three vehicles set ablaze in the violent encounter.
In response, police officers engaged the group in a fierce battle to regain control of the area.
Motorists traveling through the affected routes were forced to take alternative routs to avoid the violence and potential damage to their vehicles.
Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the attack left two police officers dead, three others unconscious and receiving treatment at a hospital, and three patrol vehicles destroyed.
“The proscribed group attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked. Several arrests have been made, and Benneth Igweh, the Commissioner of Police, has condemned the attack, vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
“While several arrests have been effected, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, Psc. mni. Condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book.
“The situation is currently under control, and normalcy has been restored to the area”, Adeh stated.
As the investigation continues, the FCT Police Command says the Command remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further outbreaks of violence.
