Police: Why we arrested 115 Shiite protesters in Abuja
The FCT Police Command has explained the reason it arrested 115 members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) following Monday’s protests in Abuja.
Monday morning, the Shiites took to the streets in Abuja on to demand the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, whom the Nigerian government has kept in custody for over two years, without trial and despite court orders for his release.
A social media footage showed protesters hurling stones at police water cannon vehicles near Unity Park and Transcorp Hilton Hotel which spurred the Nigerian Police to action.
It will be recalled that Thye police had on Friday banned any demonstration at the park, an action that has been condemned by rights activists as autocratic and illegal.
Leaders of IMN revealed that over 200 of their members were arrested during the protest, the police however gave a lesser figure in their account of the incident.
According to Abuja police spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah “One hundred and fifteen (115) members of the sect were arrested at the scene by police operatives,”
Mr Manzah, a deputy superintendent of police, added that 22 officers were injured. He also debunked reports that some protesters were killed.
The police also said they recovered catapults, iron bars, stones, ball bearings and pink head bands from suspects.
“Contrary to speculations from some sections of the media, no life was lost in the violent protest,” Mr Manzah said, adding that the police have commenced investigation.
“Joint team of detectives from the command” and “operatives from the IGP Monitoring Unit have commenced investigation into the incident,” he said.
“The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”
Monday morning, the Shiites took to the streets in Abuja on to demand the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, whom the Nigerian government has kept in custody for over two years, without trial and despite court orders for his release.
A social media footage showed protesters hurling stones at police water cannon vehicles near Unity Park and Transcorp Hilton Hotel which spurred the Nigerian Police to action.
It will be recalled that Thye police had on Friday banned any demonstration at the park, an action that has been condemned by rights activists as autocratic and illegal.
Leaders of IMN revealed that over 200 of their members were arrested during the protest, the police however gave a lesser figure in their account of the incident.
According to Abuja police spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah “One hundred and fifteen (115) members of the sect were arrested at the scene by police operatives,”
Mr Manzah, a deputy superintendent of police, added that 22 officers were injured. He also debunked reports that some protesters were killed.
The police also said they recovered catapults, iron bars, stones, ball bearings and pink head bands from suspects.
“Contrary to speculations from some sections of the media, no life was lost in the violent protest,” Mr Manzah said, adding that the police have commenced investigation.
“Joint team of detectives from the command” and “operatives from the IGP Monitoring Unit have commenced investigation into the incident,” he said.
“The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”
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