Policemen in Abuja are counting their losses following a fierce encounter with members of the Shiite movement.
Three officers were feared killed during the encounter, while the Shiite movement, in a statement, claimed that many of their members had been shot dead by the force.
According to police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, the ‘attack’ on the officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was unprovoked.
“The FCT police command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shiite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the FCT command at Wuse Junction, by the traffic light, where two police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three patrol vehicles set ablaze,” she said in a statement.
“The proscribed organization attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
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“While several arrests have been made, 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 has been restored. Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
According to the spokesman of the Islamic movement under the leadership of Sayyid Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, police attacked the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja and killed numerous mourners.
He said in a statement, “We wish to inform the public that the police 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 the press in due course.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the program will end as scheduled.
“The Arbaeen Trek that was conducted yesterday at the Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.”
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