UPDATE: No One Died During IMN Protest- Police

The Federal Capital Territory’s Police Command has released a statement to clear the rumours that several lives were lost during a clash between the members of the IMN and security forces in Abuja, saying at least 115 members were arrested during the protest but no lives were lost.

DSP Anjuguri Manzah who is the police spokesman said “No life was lost in the violent protest as the police operatives deployed to quell the protest were professional in handling the situation,”

DSP Anjuguri Manzah, in a statement, said that the protesters also injured 22 policemen and destroyed government and police vehicles during the protest.

Anjuguri said that items recovered from them are: Catapults, Iron bars, Stones, Ball bearings and Pink headbands.

He said that the protesters also attacked innocent citizens, disrupted business activities, obstructed traffic and smashed windscreen of vehicles in the affected areas.

He said that a Joint Team of detectives from the command in conjunction with operatives from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit has commenced an investigation into the incident.

“The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.

“The FCT police command hereby warns members of Shiites movement from further disrupting the peace, harmony and free flow of traffic in FCT,” he said.

He advised members of the public and parents not to allow their children or wards, to be used as an instrument of violence in any demonstration by any group.

The spokesman warned that anyone caught in the act of violent demonstration or any act capable of causing the breach of public peace would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Recall that videos has surfaced online showing the clash and ‘undisclosed sources’ claiming several lives were lost as the claimed to be eye witnesses.

The leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was arrested by the authorities after a clash with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in December 2015. The Shiites had organised several protests across the country demanding the release of their leader.