FCT Police Release Video, Pledge Justice After Deadly Clash With Shi’ite Group

FCT Police Release Video, Pledge Justice After Deadly Clash With Shi’ite Group

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has released a video documenting the recent clash between its personnel and the Shi’ite group in Abuja. The confrontation, which occurred on Monday, resulted in fatalities on both sides, including the deaths of some police officers and Shi’ite members.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Benedict Igwe, alleged that the Shi’ite members were responsible for the death of the police officers, claiming the attack on his personnel was unprovoked. However, Shi’ite leader Abdullahi Musa strongly refuted these allegations, insisting that the group’s procession was peaceful and unarmed.

“They opened fire with live ammunition, I was there, and everybody started running. So, I am not aware of all these allegations they are saying that our people killed police. How? Were we armed? We were not armed. We were only carrying placards. Is a placard a weapon? If the people knew that we were armed, they would not face us,” said Musa.

In response, the FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, shared the video of the clash on her X (formerly Twitter) account, reiterating the command’s stance that the attack was unprovoked and condemning the violence.

“I’m saddened by the unprovoked attack and brutal killing of our officers by this proscribed, heartless individual called Shi’ite members. This heinous act is unacceptable. Those responsible must face the wrath of the law. Rest well our gallant officers. We’ll hunt your killers,” SP Adeh stated.

The police have vowed to continue pursuing those they believe are responsible for the violence, while the incident has further intensified the tension between the FCT Police Command and the Shi’ite group.