Police arrests Shiite Protesters, recovers “bottles of improvised petrol-bomb”

On Wednesday, 10th January 2018, Federal Capital Territory Abuja Police command arrested some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)on the grounds of being a security threat, The Cable reports.

According to a statement released by the police, protests began on the January 8 when members of the Islamic group used catapults, stones and bottles of improvised petrol bombs to attack police officials and destroy operational vehicles.

The pandemonium left citizens of the state in fear as shops were quickly closed and motorists sought alternative routes.

The statement, signed by the command’s spokesman Anjuguri Manzah read in parts:

Following the violent protest by members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) group who went on rampage and were attacking innocent citizens including Police operatives on Wednesday 10th January, 2018, the FCT Police Command has arrested some members of the sect and recovered some bottles of improvised petrol-bomb, stones and catapult used by members of the sect to attack police operatives and damage police operational vehicles.

It is pertinent to state that the unlawful action of members of the sect which started on Monday 8th January, 2018 is constituting a serious security threat to the peace of the Federal Capital Territory and at the same time disrupting innocent citizens from going about their lawful businesses.

In view of the current security situation in the Country, the Command wishes to unequivocally state that while it will continue to be professional in the discharge of its constitutional and statutory roles of the protection of lives and property of the good people of FCT; and equally recognise the rights of citizens to express their lawful grievances, the Command will not fold its arms and watch some persons hold the capital city to ransom by disrupting government and legitimate business activities.

In view of the foregoing, the Command wants to state that any person or group of persons arrested for violating the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution while registering their protest will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the appropriate section(s) of the law.

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