Two police officers have been confirmed dead as Shi’ite protesters clashed with officers of the Nigerian Police Force around the Wuse Market, in the Wuse Zone 6 Area of Abuja eon Sunday, August 25th. The clash also left three other officers injured.
However, the number of casualties and situation of the protesters were yet to be disclosed.
Eye witnesses said the Shi’ite Muslim group were carrying out the Arba’een Symbolic Trek in the Wuse District when the police officers in a bid to disband them shot teargas at them.
The situation is presently under control and normalcy has been restored.
A viral video shared by the X (formerly Twitter) user account; @NaijaNews1960, captures the police and protesters throwing all sorts of objects at each other. The post also claims that several mourners were killed during the attack.
A statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer for the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Abuja, SP Josephine Adeh, on Sunday, claimed that the protesters attacked its officers saying, “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 explosives 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, condemns the unprovoked attack on Police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book.
