A protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites, Monday, turned violent when protesting members of the group were reportedly confronted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The sect members, who were protesting the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were said to have been intercepted close to the federal secretariat.
The Nigeria Police had last week restricted all protests in Abuja to the Unity Fountain in order to ensure free flow of traffic and safety of lives and property.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, it was, “In furtherance of the efforts by the Police at ensuring safety and security of lives and property, the free flow of traffic, and the protection of commerce and other economic activities, as well as a more coordinated handling of peaceful protests…
“By this directive, intending protesters are requested to steer-clear of all critical national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas. They are however at liberty to assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain, the authorised protest zone.”
Separate accounts of Monday protest have it that the protesters threw petrol bombs at the policemen, who opened fire on them shooting at least six members of the sect.
According to an eyewitness, the petrol bombs set ablaze two ambulances at a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) sub-station at the federal secretariat.
However, another account has it that the protesters shot at the policemen leading to the death of the FCT Police Command Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Charge of Operations, DCP Usman Umar, injuring three other officers as well as reporter with the Channels Television.
Confirming the death of the senior police officer, Mba in a press statement, Monday in Abuja, said: “Another violent protest by members of the El-Zazakky group involving over 3000 of its followers took place today, July 22, 2019, at about 12:30pm within the Central Business District of Abuja.
“The heavily armed protesters defying all sense of decency violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty. In the process, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman A.K Umar, was shot and fatally injured by the protesters. The officer, who was immediately rushed to the hospital died moments later while receiving treatment.”
The FPRO said: “Also, two Assistant Superintendents of Police and a staff of Channels Television sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
“The violent protesters also razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and two 2 vehicles.”
Blueprint reports that affected journalists, a National Youth Service Corps member deployed to the Channels Television is stable and responding to treatment as the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson said 54 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are undergoing interrogation and would be arraigned in court as soon as possible.
He said the IGP, while commiserating with the family of the late DCP, condemned the incident and warned that “Enough-is-Enough” as the Force and the nation at large would not continue to suffer losses on account of reckless and lawless persons and groups in the society.
Mba was, however, silent on the causality level on the part of the Shiites and could not be reached to through his mobile phone.
NEMA accuses Shiites of burning down 2 quick response ambulances
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Monday, accused members IMN of burning down two ambulances at the agency’s Emergency Response and Ambulance Bays (ERABs) in Abuja.
Head of Media and Public Relations of NEMA, Malam Sani Datti, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
“This is to confirm that ERABs of the NEMA located on Ahmadu Bello Way beside the federal secretariat was attacked today with two vehicles burnt down.
”The attack was carried out by members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) commonly known as Shi’ites.” he said.
Datti explained that the affected vehicles were the Mobile Intensive Care Unit, which was a life support ambulance, and a multi-purpose Response Intervention Van.
According to him, the ERABs were situated at the location for timely response to emergencies and disasters to reduce loss of lives and property.
He said the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja had while inspecting the damage, noted that the burnt equipment were very expensive and would cost tax payers a lot of money to replace.
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