The United States Government through her Embassy in Abuja, have a few hours ago, called for restraint on the ongoing violent clashes between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) and the Nigerian Security Forces, as they are concerned as to the number of persons allegedly reported to have been killed so far from the clashes in some parts of Abuja.
In a statement released by the United States Embassy, they stated that they are concerned about the number of deaths recorded so far from the clashes, and are calling on the Nigerian Security Forces and the Shiites Group to exercise restraint, while calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out a thorough investigation on those that have violated the Nigerian laws.
The Statement from the Embassy reads:
“The United States Embassy is concerned by the deaths resulting from clashes between Nigerian security forces and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in areas surrounding Abuja. We urge the Government of Nigeria authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the events and to take appropriate action to hold accountable those responsible for violations of Nigerian law. We urge restraint on all sides.”
Although, we do not have the actual or official figure of deaths or persons injured so far during this clashes, as there have been conflicting reports as to the number of those killed, but the figures put out so far by the Nigerian Army says just three deaths from the Shiites side, and four injured from the Nigerian Army side.
The statement released a few days ago by the Nigerian Army on the Shiites protest in Abuja and deaths recorded reads:
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 withdrew 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.