DSP killed as Shiite, police clash in Abuja, 54 suspects arrested
A Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the FCT Command, Usman Umar, was killed in a clash between protesting members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and police in Abuja on Monday.
DCP Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer confirmed the killing in a statement, saying DCP Umar was killed as about 3000 Shiites descended on Abuja protesting and calling for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
According to Mba, two Assistant Superintendents of Police were injured in the clash in which a staff of Channels Television was reportedly hit by a stray bullet
The statement further stressed that the protesters who were heavily armed, defied all sense of decency and violently attacked innocent citizens and police personnel on duty within the Central Business District of Abuja.
It also states that the protesters razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and two vehicles.
Meanwhile, the police say they have arrested 54 suspects in connection with the incidents, adding that the suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.
The IGP, while commiserating with the family of the late DCP, condemned the incident and warned that ‘Enough-is-Enough’ as the Force and the nation at large will not continue to suffer losses on account of reckless and lawless persons and groups in the society.
