In Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Sunday, police officers faced a violent assault by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, at a checkpoint. The attack left two police officers and one civilian dead, with three other officers rendered unconscious.
Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, explained that the IMN members launched the unprovoked attack using machetes, knives, and improvised explosive devices. The assault also resulted in the destruction of three police patrol vehicles, which were set on fire.
According to witnesses, the IMN members were holding a demonstration to mark the 40th day after their Ashura anniversary when the situation escalated. “They pelted the officers with stones and seized guns from the police. They overpowered the police, so they had to run for their lives,” one eyewitness recounted.
FCT Police Commissioner Benneth Igweh strongly condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice. He also noted that the situation was eventually brought under control, and order was restored.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
