Members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites on Tuesday clashed with security operatives in Abuja.
Although the IMN claimed it lost eight members to the incident, the Police which said no death was recorded, added that 57 IMN members, including 18 females, were arrested.
The Shiites were yesterday holding their annual Arbaeen trek near the Tricycle Park at 3rd Avenue in Gwarinpa District of Abuja when the fracas broke out.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command however, explained in a statement that vigilant security operatives sighted the Shi’ites and moved in to disperse them.
According to the statement by the command’s spokesman Josephine Adah, the IMN members, who attacked the security agents with petrol bombs, were overwhelmed.
The statement reads in part: “The FCT Police Command in a joint operation with other security agencies have restored normalcy to the Gwarinpa Area of the FCT and other parts of the capital where miscreants identified to be members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites, caused unnecessary hardship to motorists and other road users as well as individuals going about their lawful businesses.
“The miscreants who were found in their numbers were promptly intercepted by the security operatives and dispersed to prevent them from causing further disruption of public order and peace and damage to public and private assets.
“A total of 57 suspects, including 18 females were arrested and are currently being profiled. A Volkswagen Golf, flags, petrol bombs, weapons, mobile phones, and charms, were recovered as exhibits”
But, the IMN Secretary (Academic Forum) Abdullahi Musa, who claimed that eight members of the group were killed, vowed that the procession would continue.
