The Nigeria Police Force, Kaduna State Command has given reason why it arrested Shi’ites followers in Kaduna Friday, saying that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites attacked its personnel in Kaduna on Friday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna State Command, DSP Yakubu A. Sabo, made available to newsmen late Friday evening.
It reads, “Today at about 2:30pm some group of suspected members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were sighted staging a procession along the Central area of Kaduna Metropolis baring the official ban on procession by the Kaduna State Government.
“The Command mobilized Operatives to disperse the unlawful assembly. However, on sighting the Police, they (processionists) instantly became riotous and started pelting the security agents with Catapults using some sharp lethal iron bolts to attack our operatives.
” This gives the impression that, the procession was planned to be violent from the onset.
“The Police succeeded in dispersing the group and have arrested about a dozen who are now being investigated at the Command’s SCIID.
“We have maintained normalcy and will not allow any person or group of persons to take law into their hands.
” It should be noted that the Kaduna State laws have proscribed the organisation accordingly and it is the responsibility of Police as an enforcement agency to ensure compliance in accordance with the extant laws.
“The operation was successful. Update will follow accordingly please.”
