Tensions escalated in Abuja on Sunday as the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, commonly known as the Shi’ites, accused the Nigeria Police of violently attacking their peaceful Arba’een Symbolic Trek, resulting in the death and injury of several mourners. The police, however, denied the allegations, claiming that their officers were the ones who came under unprovoked attack by the group.
The Shi’ites were participating in the Arba’een walk, a ceremonial trek that marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The trek, which took place in the Wuse District of Abuja, reportedly turned tragic when the police intervened.
According to a statement released by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, signed by Sheikh Sidi Sokoto on behalf of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, the trek was peaceful and had been successfully conducted in other areas such as Masaka and Zuba the previous day. However, the group claimed that the police attack in Wuse led to numerous fatalities and injuries among their members.
“We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners.”
“Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course,” the statement read.
The statement also emphasized that the group had taken precautions to ensure that no unauthorized individuals infiltrated the trek, which they intended to complete peacefully.
As of the time of reporting, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, had not issued an official statement addressing the incident, despite repeated efforts to reach her.
However, later in the day, the FCT Police Command released a statement through its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, presenting a different version of events. The police accused the Shi’ite members of launching an unprovoked attack on their officers at a checkpoint in Wuse Junction. According to the police, this attack resulted in the death of two officers, while three others were left unconscious and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Adeh stated, “The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction.
“The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, Improvised Explosive Devices (locally-made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.”
The statement also noted that several arrests had been made and that the situation was now under control, with normalcy restored in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth Igweh condemns the unprovoked attack on police officers. He promises to bring those involved to book,” the statement added.