News

Shi’ites Deny Killing Police Officer During Abuja Protest

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

May 11, 2021

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, have debunked killing a police officer, ASP Ezekiel Adama, during a protest help in Abuja on Friday last week.

The group in a statement signed by the Secretary Academic Forum of Movement, Abdullahi Musa, on Monday said its members were not culpable for the officer’s death, noting that they did not have close contact with any of the anti-riot policemen stationed to calm the protest.

According to the statement, the group utterly refuted partaking in the killing of the police officer, describing the allegation of its involvement as an attempt to tarnish the image of the group and paint the sec in bad light.

It added that members of the group would not resort to killing security agents irrespective of provocation by the police.

Recall that members of the sect staged a protest at Wuse market on Friday against the perceived occupation of Palestine by Israel, setting ablaze the national flags of the United States of America and Israel.

The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, that the Federal Capital Territory Police Command successfully restored calm at Berger Roundabout after it had professionally dispersed a violent protest on Friday, May 7, 2021, and during the operation, ASP Adama was stabbed to death by the protesters.

“Concerning the alleged killing, we wish to categorically disassociate Free Zakzaky protesters and the Islamic movement, under the leadership of his Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) from the killing of ASP Ezekiel Adama. We are not party and not responsible for what happened to ASP Ezekiel Adama around 3pm at Berger Junction.

“Similarly, people at Wuse Market were witnesses that we ended our protest in 30minutes without having any contact with the Police Patrol Team dispatched by the FCT Police Command to stop the march.

“After the protest, the police arrested a Toyota Coaster Bus with more than 60 people, including women, children, protesters, and Abuja residents. After the arrest, the police assembled them in Eagle Square and tortured them. Up to this moment, numerous people tortured by the police are unconscious.”