The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command, on Monday, confirmed that it arrested 115 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN) during a violent protest in Abuja.
It also debunked claims that some lives were lost during the protest that paralyzed some part of the capital city.
“No life was lost in the violent protest as the police operatives deployed to quell the protest were professional in handling the situation,” police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anjuguri Manzah said.
Manzah, in a statement disclosed that 22 policemen were injured by the protesters and that they also destroyed government and police vehicles during the protest.
It would be recalled that the leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was arrested in December 2015 after a clash with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff.
Since his arrest his supporters have organised several protests across the country demanding the unconditional release of their leader.
Anjuguri said that items recovered from them are: Catapults, Iron bars, Stones, Ball bearings and Pink head bands.
He said that the protesters also attacked innocent citizens, disrupted business activities, obstructed traffic and smashed windscreen of vehicles in the affected areas.
He said said that a Joint Team of detectives from the command in conjunction with operatives from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, have commenced investigation into the incident.
“The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation,”he said.
“The FCT police command hereby warns members of Shiites movement from further disrupting the peace, harmony and free flow of traffic in FCT,” he said.
He advised members of the public and parents not to allow their children or wards, to be used as instrument of violence in any demonstration by any group.
The spokesman warned that anyone caught in the act of violent demonstration or any act capable of causing the breach of public peace would be made to face the wrath of the law.
