Forty suspected members of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) were on Tuesday arrested by the police for allegedly invading the National Assembly during a protest, which turned violent and resulted in the alleged killing of two policemen.
The spokesman of the police in Abuja, Anjuguri Manzah confirmed this in a statement; adding that the police foiled the move by the protesters over the forceful invasion of the Assembly.
“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 spokesperson said.
The Shitte members dressed in camouflaged in a peaceful procession became violent, were trying to force their way into the National Assembly, while the Police operatives on the ground, however, acted proactively, professionally and used minimum force to disperse the unruly protesters.
‘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’.
‘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’.
The Command enjoined members of the public 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.
