Police foil attempt to invade NASS by Shittes; 2 Officers Shot, 7 Policemen Injured, 40 Sect members arrested.
The FCT Police Command has foiled a violent move by members of the El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to forcefully invade the National Assembly on Tuesday, 10th July, 2019.
The group which started its activity, camouflaged in a peaceful procession became violent and were trying to force their way into the National Assembly. Police operatives on the ground, however, acted proactively, professionally and used minimum force to disperse the unruly protesters.
3. Members of the sect during the violent protest shot two (2) police personnel on the leg, while clubs and stones were used to inflict injuries on six other policemen. The injured policemen have been taken to the hospital for prompt medical attention.
4. Meanwhile, forty (40) members of the sect have been arrested in connection with the violent protest. Investigation is in progress.
5. In view of the foregoing, the Command wishes to state unequivocally that while it recognizes and respects the right of citizens to peaceful procession, an attempt by any individual or group of persons to cause the breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated. Those arrested in the process will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate law of the land.
6. Members of the public are enjoined to go on with their lawful activities as normalcy has been restored, and adequate security measures have been emplaced by the Command to forestall any security breach.
DSP Anjuguri Manzah
Police Public Relations Officer,
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For: Commissioner of Police,
FCT Police Command,
Abuja.
Members of the Shiite group (Islamic Movement of Nigeria), on Tuesday carried out another protest at the National Assembly over the continued detention of the leader of their religious sect leader, Ibraheem El Zakzaky.
In the process, IMN members are said to have shot some police officers on duty at the National Assembly.
The incident created pandemonium within and around the national assembly complex.
Eye witnesses said one of the police officers was rushed to the National Assembly clinic around 1.55p.m while others witnesses claimed two other officers were also shot.
Several witnesses, who recounted the face-off, said the incident occurred when the protesters tried to force their way into the assembly complex.
As at the time of filing this report, police officers have locked the entrance of the National Assembly as sounds of gunshots rented the air.
Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky was arrested in December 2015 after soldiers clamped down on his supporters for blocking a major national highway when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai was in transit for an official function.
Since the December 2015 incident, El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention for over 2 years despite the fact that the courts have ordered his release through bail.
Many of the Shiite members have been killed and arrested during several protests mainly in Abuja and Kaduna since the December 2015 incident due to what security agencies said is the instigation of instigation of violence by the group using including petrol bombs, stones and other dangerous weapons.
