The police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested 19 members of proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) for alleged unlawful procession and obstruction of justice in Abuja.
This followed the Federal High Court ruling on the release of the international passports of the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenah.
Over 400 members of the proscribed group staged a protest from Federal High Court to the Eagle Square in Abuja.
They blocked the roads, thus inconveniencing members of the public, especially commuters, and demanded the immediate release of their leader’s international passport.
A statement last night by the FCT police command’s spokesperson Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the unlawful procession was dispersed with minimal force while 19 suspects were arrested.
Adeh said the suspects would be charged in court after due process of the law.
The statement said: “Upon receiving distress calls from residents apprehensive of their safety, police operatives were swiftly deployed on the scene to support officers already on the ground monitoring the procession. On sighting the reinforcement team, members of the IMN started throwing stones, Molotov cocktails, and other dangerous objects at the officers.
“The FCT Command assures residents of its commitment to security, safety, and peace within the capital territory. No untoward incident was recorded as observation and monitoring continued.”