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No fewer than 22 Policemen sustained various degrees of injuries as supporters of outspoken Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ibrahim El Zakzaky, Monday, engaged the Nigerian in combat as Police attempted to disperse them from the streets in Abuja, following violent protests that rocked the city in the early hours of Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO) of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) Command Anjuguri Manzah, a deputy superintendent of Police, in a statement on Monday also revealed that 115 members of the group were arrested by the Police.
Manzah, said the Police however succeeded in restoring normalcy at parts of Maitama after violent protest by members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)who went on rampage on Monday, 16th April, 2018
Police said the group “were attacking innocent citizens, disrupting business activities, obstructing traffic movement and smashing windscreen of innocent citizens’ vehicles in the affected areas.
Following the unfortunate incident which also resulted in the destruction of some government and Police operational vehicles, the members of the Shiite group also injured twenty-two (22) police personnel during the protest”
Exhibits Saudi to have been recovered by the Police include, Catapults, Iron bars, Stones, Ball bearings, Pink head bands
“One hundred and fifteen (115) members of the sect were arrested at the scene by Police operatives. Joint Team of detectives from the Command in conjunction with operatives from the IGP Monitoring Unit have commenced investigation into the incident”
Police also announced that the arrested suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The FCT Police Command hereby warn members of Shiites movement from further disrupting the peace, harmony and free flow of traffic in FCT.
The Police also urged members of the public, particularly parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards “be used as instrument of violence in any demonstration by any group that could jeopardize public peace and harmony. It is therefore imperative to state that anyone caught in the act of violent demonstration or any act capable of causing the breach of public peace will be made to face the wrath of the law.”
“Meanwhile, the Command wishes to state that contrary to speculations from some sections of the media, no life was lost in the violent protest as the Police operatives deployed to quell the protest were professional in handling the situation” the PPRO said.
Stella Enenche, Abuja
