Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, continues to witness riots instigated by the clashes between the Nigerian Army and members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shiites.
The Nigerian Army says troops deployed on routine duty at Kugbo/Karu bridge checkpoint of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were attacked by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) sect on Monday, October 29.
In a statement posted on its social media pages, the army claimed the sect in massive numbers forced their way into the troops checkpoint after over running the police force.
According to the statement, “the sect members, fired weapons at troops, throwing bottle canisters with fuel, large stones, catapults with dangerous objects and other dangerous items at troops causing bodily harm and stopping motorist movement, breaking their windscreen and causing heavy traffic.”
The statement however, noted that “the troops repelled the attack in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force to stop the situation from further deteriorating.
“Unfortunately, during the encounter, 3 members of the sect were killed while 4 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and are being treated at a military medical facility,” the army said.
The army enjoined members of the public living within Abuja and environs to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation, warning that the army will not be deterred in carrying out its constitutional roles and safeguarding law abiding citizens.
A group known as Abuja Peace and Development Initiative had earlier raised an alarm over alleged plans by members of IMN to invade Abuja this week with violence.
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Alerting the Nigeria Police Force and the directorate of State Security Services (SSS), the president of the Initiative, Reverend Aaron Audu in a statement sent to journalists, said the last batch of fighters to launch the attack are on the way into the capital city.
He said their response of attacking the military men at checkpoints instead of making a case for why they should be allowed to pass confirms that they are an invading force and not pilgrims trekking.
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