The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Igweh, has paraded 94 suspects affiliated with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shi’ites, following a violent riot in Abuja. The unrest, which occurred last Sunday, resulted in the deaths of two police officers and injuries to four others, including a female officer.
During a press briefing, CP Igweh labeled the IMN as a proscribed terrorist organization, emphasizing that the group had no legal right to assemble or march. He reported that dangerous weapons, including blood-stained cutlasses and knives used in the attacks, were recovered from the suspects.
The police commissioner condemned the actions of the IMN and affirmed that the group’s activities were in violation of Nigerian law. He stated that the suspects would be charged in court and vowed that the police would continue their efforts to track down the sponsors and other members of the group.
CP Igweh’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension between the authorities and the Shi’ite movement, which has been involved in various clashes with security forces in the past. The police are determined to address what they describe as terrorism and restore order.