Police Arrest 400 Shi’ites Member In Abuja

No fewer than 400 members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in connection with Tuesday’s violent protest in the territory.

Mr Bala Ciroma, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, revealed this when he presented the suspects to the media at the command’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ciroma revealed that the dangerous weapon like 31 bottles of petrol bombs were recovered from them, while they are been detained for discreet investigation.

Ciroma said that among the suspects was their “First Aider”, one Salahuddeen Ahmad, male, 23, who hails from Illela Local Government of Sokoto State.

He said that all the suspects would be arraigned upon conclusion of investigation.

He stated that the command intercepted and arrested some members of “the EL-Zakzakky Islamic Movement of Nigeria with 31 bottles of petrol bomb and other dangerous weapons being ferried into FCT by their members.

“It is for the purpose of causing mayhem and attack on innocent citizens, including law enforcement agents deployed to protect lives and property.’’

He added that the members of the sect burnt a police vehicle after they when on rampage with any form of provocation.

Ciroma explained that at 12.30 p.m., operatives on stop-and-search duty along Tipper Garage area, intercepted and arrested one Mustapha Abdullahi, male, 20, of Ungwan Gwari, Suleja, with 18 bottles of petrol bombs concealed in a traveling bag.

“To smuggle himself and the patrol bombs into the city, he disguised as a passenger and boarded a taxi with other unsuspecting passengers,” he said.

He said that Abdullahi ran out of luck when vigilant policemen on duty at the point “upon reasonable suspicion’’ intercepted the cab and conducted a search on the only bag in the car and found the improvised bombs.

He said that the suspect was immediately arrested, adding that he would be arraigned at the end of investigation.

The commissioner added that one Abdullahi Umar, 22, was also nabbed with a bag containing 13 well packaged bottles of petrol bomb.

“During investigation, the suspect confessed that he arrived Suleja from Sokoto State on Sunday to join other members of their sect for protest.

“He also confessed that he was ferrying the patrol bomb to FCT to confront law enforcement agents,” he said.

Ciroma said that one lighter was also recovered from the suspect, adding that he would also be arraigned soon.