File photo: Shiites members on the march
Apparently infuriated by the casualties it suffered in the hand of the military members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite are set for a showdown with security authorities as they take their protest march to Abuja.
Shiite sources said they were ready to match the Army power for power. “We are not afraid to die; the Army are afraid”, a member who refused to disclose his identity told our reporter during a bust-up with security authorities on the outskirts of Abuja at the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) on Sunday assured residents of the territory of adequate security following rumors of the planned procession by Shiites.
DSP Anjuguri Manzah, Spokesman of the command, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) was said to be planning a major procession into the FCT.
Members of the sect had been protesting the detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky since 2015.
Manzah, however, assured that both uniform and plain-clothe police operatives would be deployed at strategic points to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The spokesman said that adequate measures security measures had also been put in place to ensure free flow of vehicular movement in the territory.
He, therefore, enjoined members of the public to feel free to go about their lawful activities
“The command seizes this medium to address member of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria on the need to be law abiding, and ensure they write and secure the appropriate clearance before embarking on any form of procession in FCT,” he added.
