A violent clash between the 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 officers, the police have confirmed.
In addition to the fatalities, three officers are currently hospitalized and unconscious after sustaining injuries during the confrontation, according to the police.
Earlier reports indicated that armed police officers had fired tear gas and live ammunition at IMN members, commonly known as Shi’ites, during their Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja. The attack reportedly led to an unspecified number of deaths and injuries among the group.
The Arbaeen Trek, which commenced on Saturday, August 24, is held to commemorate and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain (AS), who was beheaded at Karbala in 680 CE. Imam Hussain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sayyida Fatima bintu Muhammad (SAWA), and the younger brother of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS).
Eyewitnesses reported that the police forcefully disrupted the IMN procession at Wuse Market, with a squad of armed officers firing tear gas and live bullets to disperse the peaceful march. The sudden attack led to chaos as motorists and passersby fled the area, and several members of the movement were injured, with reports of fatalities that could not be independently verified.
Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, speaking on behalf of the IMN, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said that those who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to an undisclosed hospital and that the group was still compiling the number of those killed.
“We wish to inform the public that the 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,” Sokoto said.
He added that security agents were arresting participants in the Arbaeen Trek, and that medical practitioners were attending to the critically injured. He promised to release details of those killed, injured, and arrested to the press in due course.
However, the FCT police command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, presented a different account in a statement on Sunday. She confirmed the deaths of two police personnel, with three others injured and hospitalized, and three police patrol vehicles burned.
According to Adeh, the IMN members launched an unprovoked attack on a police checkpoint, armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices, and knives.
“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,” Adeh stated.
She assured that the situation was under control and normalcy had been restored, with further developments to be communicated in due course.
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