- We’ve made several arrests, restored normalcy – Police
A violent confrontation between the Nigeria Police and Shiite protesters has reportedly resulted in the deaths of two persons.
It was gathered that the clash occured at Wuse Market, located in the Wuse Zone 6 area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday.
The situation escalated when police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters, leading to a bloody clash.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage revealed that the demonstrators retaliated by attacking the Wuse Market Police Station.
Meanwhile, the police in the Federal Capital Territory confirmed that the two persons killed in the riot were its officers, adding that three other police personnel were brutally injured and left unconscious in hospital.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer in Abuja, said the protesters attacked the operatives unprovoked and set ablaze three patrol vehicles.
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 Igweh, condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book.
The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored. Further development will be communicated in due course.”
