Two police officers have been confirmed dead, and three were left unconscious as Shi’ite members attacked police officers in Abuja yesterday.
The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement that “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 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 Igweh, condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers.
He promises to bring those involved to book.”
The police, however, stated that the situation is presently under control and normalcy has been restored.
There was also tension at the Julius Berger roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a clash between members of the El Zakzaky movement, also known as Shiites and men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
According to information gathered, unconfirmed numbers of persons, including policemen, were said to have been killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
Also, police patrol vehicles deployed to the scene have been burnt down as the police battle the Shiites in the area, with gunshots being fired by the police at the Shiite members who were running in different directions.
Motorists who were plying the routes had to revert to alternative routes to avoid being killed or having their vehicles damaged.
The FCT police command has yet to respond to calls by journalists on the situation in the area.
FCT police command spokesperson Josephine Adeh, when contacted, confirmed the incident and promised to respond with a statement shortly.
