* 2 officers confirmed dead- Police
* Numerous mourners killed, maimed – IMN
By Citizenship Daily
There was a fatal violence on Sunday as members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group clashed with some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Wuse area of Abuja, resulting in several persons feared killed or maimed.
While the Police confirmed that two of its personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three Police patrol vehicles set ablaze, the IMN said that the police killed and injured unconfirmed numerous mourners observing the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek in the nation’s capital city.
A statement from the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said
that there was unprovoked attack by the IMN members on some Police personnel attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, near the busy market in the area.
According to the statement, the group had attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
It added that following several arrests effected, the situation was brought under control and normalcy restored.
The statement read in part:”The FCT police command wishes to confirm an ent of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on where two Police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three Police patrol vehicles set ablaze.
“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.”
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, in a press release for the Islamic movement under the leadership of his eminence Sayyid Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky, also claimed that it was the Police that attacked the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja, and killed numerous mourners.
He alleged that while trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners.
According to him, “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.
“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. Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we have searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.
“The Arbeen Trek that was conducted yesterday at Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”
