The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of dozens of suspected members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites who stormed the Gwarimpa area of the nation’s capital on Tuesday morning. The outlawed group was having a religious procession in the nation’s capital when they were intercepted by security to stop them because they had been causing “unnecessary hardship to motorists” along the Abuja-Kubwa expressway. In a statement by the police 57 of the members were after the members attacked the police with petrol bombs and stones. The Shi’ites had embarked on its annual Arbaeen Symbolic Trek causing tension and traffic gridlock on the Kubwa-Kaduna express on Tuesday. The Police revealed that items recovered from the suspects include, a vehicle, flags, petrol bombs, weapons, mobile phones, charms, and other exhibits. However, contrary to earlier reports, the police in the statement said there was no casualty recorded during the incident, stressing that the security team was able to foil attacks launched on them. Many passengers were stranded between Gwarimpa and Kubwa as both the service lanes and expressway were blocked.
Eye witness accounts said security operatives fired teargas canisters to disperse the group, a situation that caused traffic gridlock, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
Some motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles in the heat of the clash.
“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 police statement said.
“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 residents 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 endeavours without any fear or apprehension.”
