Abuja, Nigeria – Not less than three people (a trader and two policemen) have been killed in a clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command at Wuse Market on Sunday. Three other policemen sustained knife injuries and were in serious condition
The IMN members were reportedly holding an Arba’een walk, the ceremonial trek that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period of the death of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Imam Hussain. However, it got bloody when the Police used teargas on the protesters. According to eyewitnesses, a trader named Amiru, who was merely an onlooker, was shot in the chest while fleeing as police pursued Shi’ites protesters near Chateau De La-Rey in Wuse Zone 6. During the ensuing chaos, three police vehicles were set on fire.
An eyewitness told newsmen that when the victim was rushed to the Zone 3 hospital, the A&E unit was overwhelmed with casualties, including police officers. According to the eyewitness, the victim breathed his last while being transported to Maitama District Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by Sheikh Sidi Sokoto on behalf of the Shi’ite leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, reported that the walk, previously held in the Masaka and Zuba areas on Saturday, was peaceful and successful.
Spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the attack stated that the demonstrators wielded machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives. The Police condemned the attack, adding that several arrests had been made and pledged to ensure that all perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice. The Force indicated that the situation had been brought under control, with police operatives restoring normalcy to the area.
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