Following threats of more protests nation-wide by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiites, the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate beef-up of security in all the States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
A statement issued on Friday by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the action has become necessary in the face of a series of violent protests by the Shiites, who have remained resolute in their demand for the release of their leader Ibrahim El-zazakky, who has been detained by the Federal Government since 2015.
The police clashed with the group in Abuja on Monday, and amidst sporadic gunshots that ensued, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and about six members of the sect, and including a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) attached to the Channels Television, were killed. The group also staged another protest in Tuesday in Abuja but were promptly dispersed by the police.
The group through one of its spokesmen, Abubakar Abdulrahman, told BusinessDay that they would continue with the protests nation-wide and even outside the country, despite the police crackdown, until El-Zak Zaky is released from what he called ‘illegal detention’.
Meanwhile, the IGP according to the statement by Mba, has assured citizens that proactive measures including aerial surveillance of major cities had been emplaced to ensure the safety and security of lives and property of all Nigerians. In addition, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide have been mandated to ensure customized security arrangements are put in place in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace.
The IGP however, enjoined citizens to be wary of circulating unsubstantiated security advisories capable of creating undue fear, panic and apprehension in the country.
The IGP has further advised all would-be protesters to ensure they express their grievances within the ambit of the law so as not to infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens or cause breach of public peace, the statement from Frank Mba said.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
