The Nigerian Army has said that no fewer than three members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise referred to as Shiite, died in the clash which occurred in Abuja on Monday.
The Army which gave its side of the story on the clash said four soldiers were injured.
The Army, in a statement issued on its facebook page, stated that Shiite members attacked the troops with dangerous weapons of different kinds, causing injuries to the soldiers.
“The sect in massive numbers forced their way into the troops checkpoint after over running the Police Force. “The Police withdrew back to own troops position to join efforts to repel them. They fired weapons at own 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 Army said.
On Monday in Abuja, the military and police resisted the attempt by members Shiite to come into Abuja.
Members of the group who were protesting the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, gathered at Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory for a procession.
They were reported to have barricaded the roads and restricted movements.
It took a combined team of police and soldiers to thwart their efforts.
A similar clash between members of the Shiite group and security agencies also occurred on Saturday.
Shiite members were embarking on a procession in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory when they were halted.
The statement by the Nigerian Army reads in full:
ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA ATTACK SOLDIERS AND POLICE ON DUTY AT KUGBO/KARU CHECK POINT ON MONDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2018
Troops of the Nigerian Army 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 at about 3:00pm on 29th October 2018.
The sect in massive numbers forced their way into the troops checkpoint after over running the Police Force. The Police withrew back to own troops position to join efforts to repel them. They fired weapons at own troops, throwing bottle cannisters 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. However, 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.
Meanwhile, the situation has been brought under control and normalcy restored in the general area and there is free flow of traffic.
Members of the public living within Abuja and environs are enjoined to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation.
The Nigerian Army will not deter in carrying out its constitutional roles and also safeguarding law abiding citizens.
You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public.
