2 policemen killed, patrol vehicles burnt during clash with Shi’ites in Abuja

There was tension at the Julius Berger area of Abuja, yesterday, following a clash between members of Sheikh Ibraheem Elzakzaky’s group, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as and men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

Unofficial reports said 10 persons, including policemen, were killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in the violence.

Also, patrol vehicles deployed to the scene were burnt down as the police battled the Shiites in the area.

Motorists plying the route promptly diverted to alternative routes to avoid being killed and having their vehicles damaged.

As fallout, the popular Wuse Market has been shut to prevent hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to loot and vandalise shops.

Trouble started after members of the Shiite movement gathered in their numbers to embark on the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja, which the police opposed as they did not have clearance to do so.

In the argument that ensued, the IMN members were said to have attacked policemen, who in turn fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

It was gathered that gunshots killed several persons, including policemen.

However, a statement signed by Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, for the IMN, claimed the police killed several Shiite members who were in a peaceful procession. He said the group carried out a similar procession on Saturday in Mararaba, a satellite town in Nasarawa State near the FCT, without being harassed and wondered why the police attacked the group at the Berger junction.

In the statement, titled “Police attacked the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja and killed numerous mourners,” Mainasara said, “We wish to inform the public that police have 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 members of the press in due course.