Officer killed as police arrest 49 Shi’ites after violent protest

Adama Ezekiel, a police officer, has been killed after the police clashed with members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Friday.

The altercation occurred at Berger roundabout in the Wuse district of Abuja.

Ezekiel was one of the police officers deployed to restore calm in the area. He was allegedly stabbed by an IMN member.

The IMN members, better known as Shi’ites, are demanding the release of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, their leader.

El-Zakzaky and Zeenatu, his wife, have been in detention since December 2015 after Shi’ites and soldiers clashed in Zaria, Kaduna state.

In a statement, Mariam Yusuf, spokesperson of the FCT police command, said 49 members of the sect were arrested and would be prosecuted after a probe is concluded.

“Unfortunately, the members of the disbanded sect went on a rampage destroying public property and attacking innocent citizens including police officers using dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, sharp knives, etc,” Yusuf said.

“Sadly, one of the Police Officers Asp Adama Ezekiel deployed to restore calm during the violent protest paid the supreme price as a result of the brutal attack where he was stabbed by one of the irate protesters.

“Forty-nine members of the sect were arrested and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation. In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police CP. Bala Ciroma wishes to commiserate with the family of the deceased Officer who paid the supreme price in service to the Nation.

“Furthermore, the Command wishes to state that it will not condone further attacks on its personnel, equipment or other public property by members of the proscribed group.”

Editor’s note: The featured image was used for illustrative purposes.