President Muhammadu Buhari has warned members of Islamic Movement of
Nigeria, otherwise known as Shi’ite, that the government would not
tolerate affront and confrontation against constituted authorities.
About 11 person were allegedly killed during the clash between the
Shi’ite group and the Police as the group protest the continuous
detention of their leader, Sheik El Zakzakky
DSP Umar Usman of the Abuja Police Command and Precious Owolabi, a corps
member attached to ChannelsTV were among the dead.
Femi Adeshina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,
said: “Perpetrators of the mayhem will not go unpunished…Let nobody or
group doubt or test our will to act in the higher interest of majority
of our citizens.”
The president also condoled with ChannelsTV and the police leadership
over the loss, urging them to remain steadfast and committed to their
professional callings.
Describing Owolabi and Umar as “law-abiding, hardworking and vibrant
Nigerians with a promising future”, President Buhari described their
untimely fate “sad, regrettable and worrisome”.
The president further directed the leadership of the security and law
enforcement agencies to safeguard the nation against reoccurrence
mindless attacks in the country.
The Shia group, with an estimated over two million members, have vowed
to continue with their protest until their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is
released.