Five Feared Killed As Military Clashes With Shi’ite Protesters In Abuja

By Bukola Kayode

The peace and quiet in the Banex Plaza area of Wuse 2 Abuja got disrupted on Friday when security forces clashed with Shi’ite protesters during an International Quds Day procession, resulting in at least five deaths and numerous injuries.

Thousands of members of the Islamic Movement had gathered to mark the last Friday of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians, but the situation soon escalated when some protesters reportedly began throwing stones at security operatives. In response, security personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd. The exact number of casualties remains unclear.

Meanwhile, the Police in Abuja on Friday arrested 19 violent suspects just as the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, has condemned the unprovoked attack on security operatives by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ites.

The FCT Command said in a statement issued by the Spokesperson for the command, SP Josephine Adeh, that the Command received a distress call reporting a violent assault on security personnel by IMN members armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and other lethal weapons in the Banex Area, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2.

The statement read in part: “Upon swift deployment to the scene, police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in the serious injury of three security operatives.

“They were promptly transported to the National Hospital, where one was tragically pronounced dead.

“Nineteen ((19) suspects have been arrested in connection with this incident, while others managed to escape.

“Normalcy has since been fully restored, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale emphasized that actions are being implemented to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.

The Commissioner warns that attacks on security operatives who risk their lives to protect citizens will not be tolerated.

He urges residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and report any suspicious activities to the Command at the following numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.