40 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, NIM, otherwise referred to as Shi’ite were arrested on Tuesday following the invasion of the National Assembly.
The members of the group said to be protesting the continued detention of their leaders since 2015 caused chaos leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
The House of Representatives ended its session abruptly as a result of the development.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the Federal Capital Territory, the Police said the attempt to invade the National Assembly was foiled.
He said the protest had been peaceful until when the members tried to invade the National Assembly.
According to him, the operatives of the police force on ground were proactive and used minimum force to disperse the protesters.
The protesters, he confirmed, shot two police personnel while six other persons were injured with clubs and stones.
The injured policemen, he said, had been taken to the hospital for medical attention.
He added that investigation into the case was already going on.
“In view of the foregoing, the command wishes to state unequivocally that it recognises and respects the right of citizens to peaceful procession.
“But an attempt by any individual or group of persons to cause the breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated.
“Those arrested in the process will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate law of the land,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Shiite group, on April 24, attacked the National Assembly, causing the House of Representatives to abruptly end plenary.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of the 8th National Assembly, Yusuf Lasun, who was presiding ended sitting saying informed about the invasion.
According to him, the action was taken as a precautionary measure.
The group which was said to be protesting the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was said to have overpowered security men at the first gate and invaded the complex.
They were said to be matching towards the second gate when one of their leaders stopped them.
It is not the first time the group would be protesting the continued detention of their leader in Abuja.
The protest had at different times resulted in clashes between them and the police.
Lives had been lost in the protests with many of them hauled into detention.
