Police Arrest 400 Shiite Members in FCT
This press briefing is on the update of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT Police Command in furtherance with its continuous effort to provide residents of the Federal Capital Territory with adequate security, protect lives and property and prevent any breakdown of law and order has intercepted and arrested some members of the El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement of Nigeria with thirty-one bottles of petrol bomb and other dangerous weapons being ferried into FCT by their members to cause mayhem and attack innocent citizens including law enforcement agents deployed to protect lives and property.
It is also unfortunate to inform you that members of this group during a violent protest, today, 30thOctober, 2018 without any provocation went on rampage and burnt down a Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol vehicle deployed at Ademola Adetokumbo Crescent. Some arrests have however been made and investigation is in progress.
The highlight of the arrests is capture below:
On 30th October, 2018 at about 1230hrs police operatives on stop and search duty along Tipper garage Katampe intercepted and arrested one Mustapha Abdullahi ‘m’ 20 years of Ungwan Gwari Suleja with eighteen (18) bottles of petrol bombs carefully concealed in a travelling bag. To smuggle himself and the petrol bombs into the city, he disguised as a passenger and boarded a taxi with other unsuspecting passengers. He ran out of luck when the vigilant policemen on duty at the point upon reasonable suspicion intercepted the cab and conduct a search on the only bag in the car, which had in it the improvised bomb. Upon the discovery, the suspect was immediately arrested. Other exhibits recovered from the suspect include: two lighters and one dagger. The suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
Similarly, on the same date at about 1130hrs, police operatives on stop and search at Dakwa FCT-Niger Boundary arrested one Abdullahi Umar ‘m’ 22 years of Gadan Karte, Illela LGA of Sokoto State with a bag containing thirteen (13) well packaged bottles of petrol bomb. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he arrived Suleja from Sokoto state on Sunday to join other members of their sect for the protest. He also confessed that he was ferrying the petrol bomb to FCT to confront law enforcement agents. One lighter was also recovered from the suspect. He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
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In conclusion, while reassuring FCT residents of adequate security, I want to also bring to your knowledge that a total of Four hundred (400) members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who participated in the violent protest of today are currently being detained for discreet investigation; dangerous weapons were also recovered from them. Also arrested is their first aider one Salahuddeen Ahmad ‘M’ 23 Yrs of Illela LGA of Sokoto State. The Suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
Bala Ciroma
Commissioner of Police
FCT Police Command
Abuja
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IGP Condemns Attacks on Police Vehicle, Personnel
Consequent on the disturbance of public peace, unprovoked attack on Police personnel and the setting ablaze of Police vehicle in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja today, 30th October, 2018 by members of the El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni has placed the Commissioners of Police and their personnel in States with presence of El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement on Red-alert. They are to deal decisively in accordance with the law with the sect and prevent the group from causing breakdown of law and order in those States.
The IGP condemns the attack and has directed a total clamp-down on the perpetrators within the ambit of the law, thorough investigation and prosecution of the members of the El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement of Nigeria, now in Police custody.
Four Hundred (400) members of the group arrested today for disturbance of public peace and law and order in the FCT and setting ablaze of Police vehicle, and those arrested with thirty One (31) bottles of petrol bombs and other dangerous weapon, now in Police Custody, will be arraigned in Court on completion of investigation for acts and offences prohibited under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013.
The Force will not condone lawlessness and disturbance of public peace by any group(s) under any guise that runs contrary to the constitutional provisions and other enabling laws on preservation of law and order and protection of lives and property of all Nigerians.
The full weight of the law will be applied on perpetrators of violence and lawlessness that can lead to breach of the peace, and law and order anywhere in the country.
Members of the public in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other contiguous States to the FCT are hereby implored to be vigilant and go about their lawful engagements without fear or apprehension, as the situation has been fully brought under control.
Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
