Violence Erupts in Abuja as Shiite Procession Turns Deadly, Leaving Three Dead

 

Tensions escalated in Abuja on Sunday, August 25, as a procession by the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria, commonly known as the Shiites, descended into violence, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a local trader at the bustling Wuse Market.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner Benneth Igweh expressed strong disapproval over the tragic incident, describing the actions of the Shiite group as "provocative" and condemning their attacks on security personnel. The violent clash also left two policewomen critically injured, prompting Igweh to promise swift justice for those responsible.

Speaking at Force Headquarters, Igweh stated, "Their killers will not go unpunished," emphasizing his determination to hold the perpetrators accountable. He further condemned the group's actions, which included setting ablaze at least three police vehicles amid the chaos.

“You can see now that these people (Shiites) have killed my men. They even went ahead to injure two policewomen. In fact, they’ve even declared war on security operatives,” Igweh remarked. He added that the police had communicated with the group’s lawyer, whose comments, Igweh said, made it clear that the Shiites had "declared total war" on security forces. The commissioner vowed that this would be the last protest or procession by the group in the FCT.

The incident has heightened concerns over security in the nation's capital and raised questions about the ongoing tensions between the authorities and the proscribed group.