Nigeria: Normalcy restored in Abuja after Shiites Islamic group clash with security agencies

• Police says 57 Shiite ‘hoodlums’ arrested, petrol bombs, weapons, bags of stones, others weapons recovered

The Nigeria Police says that normalcy has been restored to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja after members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria loyal to Shiite cleric, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky clashed with security forces.

The level of the confrontation necessitated the deployment of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies towards containing the situation.

The Police also said however that no casualty was recorded even though eyewitnesses said two died during the clash.

But the Police confirmed that it has 57 suspects in custody while it recovered petrol bombs, weapons, bags of stones and other harmful materials from the ‘hoodlums.’

The clash ground most parts of Abuja especially the sprawling Gwarimpa Estate and blocked movement on the Kubwa Expressway.

According to a statement by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Adeh Josephine, “the FCT Police Command in a joint intervention with the Nigerian Army and 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 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. The miscreants attacked the security forces with petrol bombs, weapons including stones but were adequately rounded up by the security teams without any casualty.

“A total of fifty-seven (57) suspects including thirty-nine (39) and eighteen female (18) were arrested and currently being profiled at the State Criminal Investigations Department of the FCT Police Command. A vehicle, flags, petrol bombs, weapons, mobile phones, charms etc are some of the exhibits recovered from the miscreants.

“The Command, while calling on resident to be calm, warns any individual or group who may want to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the Capital to desist or be ready to face the consequences of their actions. Residents and commuters are also advised to go about their lawful endeavors without any fear or apprehension.”