Two police officers and a trader were killed on Sunday in a clash between police and members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites.
The clash which occurred at Wuse Market, Abuja also left three other police officers unconscious and many traders with injury.
The trader victim, who was simply identified as Amiru, was an onlooker, when he was shot in the chest at a point close to Chateau De La-Rey in Wuse Zone 6.
Three police vehicles were also set ablaze by the protesters.
Crisis ensued when Shites on an Arbaeen demonstration to commemorate the 40th day after its Ashura anniversary attacked policemen on duty at Wuse junction.
“They pelted the officers with stones and seized guns from the police.
“They overpowered the police, so they had to run for their lives.
“The protesters further set fire to three police vehicles,” according to an eyewitness.
Spokesman of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.
Adeh said : “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.
“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 presently under control and normalcy restored.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
