The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, on Monday, updated President Muhammadu Buhari on security developments across the country, particularly the activities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiite.
The Shiites, on Monday, went on the rampage in Abuja. Vehicles were burnt.
A senior Police officer, DCP Usman Umar, officer in charge of operations at the FCT Police Command, was among those feared dead in the violent protest by the Shiite members.
The Police officer was killed by the rioters as he tried to pacify them when they attempted to disrupt commercial activities and vehicular around the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
The IGP, who spoke to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, said that he briefed him on the incessant and violent activities of members of the IMN.
“We came to brief Mr President on the security situation in the country, especially the activities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN); just to give him an update of what is happening in the country.
“Specifically, we briefed him on the incessant protests by the Shiite members. We briefed him on the fact that we have been able to curtail their excesses and to let him understand that everything is under control,’’ he said.
On the President’s reaction, the IGP said that he directed that security be provided for every citizen.
“He specifically directed us not to leave any space for any group of people to create a breakdown of law and order.
“So, the charge by Mr President is that we must provide security for every Nigerian,” the Police boss said.
The Shiite members, who are demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015, clashed with security operatives at the Federal Secretariat, about 1.30 p.m.
Sources indicated that Umar had been buried in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday, accused the Shiites of burning down two ambulances at the Agency’s Emergency Response and Ambulance Bays (ERABs) in Abuja.
Head of Media and Public Relations of NEMA, Malam Sani Datti, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
“This is to confirm that ERABs of the NEMA located on Ahmadu Bello Way beside the federal secretariat was attacked today with two vehicles burnt down.
” The attack was carried out by members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria commonly known as Shi’ites.” he said.
Datti explained that the affected vehicles were the Mobile Intensive Care Unit, which was a life support ambulance, and a multi-purpose Response Intervention Van.
According to him, the ERABs were situated at the location for timely response to emergencies and disasters to reduce loss of lives and property.
He said the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja had while inspecting the damage, noted that the burnt equipment were very expensive and would cost tax payers alot of money to replace.
Security personnel at the National Assembly Complex were on Monday positioned in strategic locations to prevent breakdown of law and order as the Shiites clashed with police officers.
Security operatives within the premises of the National Assembly including the Sergeant-at-Arms shut down the entrance of the complex, diverting vehicular movement to alternative routes.
Same protesters on Tuesday, July 9, had almost invaded the NASS premises throwing stones, vandalised private and public properties and injured three policemen in the process.
The injured security personnel were rushed to the NASS clinic and later to the National Hospital Abuja where they are still receiving treatments.
