The Nigerian Police Force said its men have arrested 400 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, otherwise known as Shi’ites, following a second day of violence in Abuja.
The police said they had put on red alert formations in the states, with substantial Shiite population, as the Inspector General of Police(IGP) ordered a clampdown on the rioters.
Jimoh Moshood, deputy commissioner and police spokesman said the IGP condemned the unprovoked attack on Police personnel and the setting ablaze of Police vehicle by the rioters today.
The IGP, he said has ordered the investigation and prosecution of all the 400 suspects arrested.
The suspects are likely to be charged with disturbance of public peace, law and order in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and setting ablaze of Police vehicle.
Among the suspects were 31 arrested with bottles of petrol bombs and other dangerous weapons.
“They will all be arraigned in Court after investigation under Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013”, Moshood said.
“Commissioners of Police in States with presence of El-Zakzakky Islamic Movement Groups are now on Red-alert to deal decisively in accordance with the law and prevent the group from causing breakdown of law and order in those States
“They are to deal decisively in accordance with the law with the sect and prevent the group from causing breakdown of law and order in those States.
“The Force will not condone lawlessness and disturbance of public peace by any group(s) under any guise that runs contrary to the constitutional provisions and other enabling laws on preservation of law and order and protection of lives and property of all Nigerians.
“The full weight of the law will be applied on perpetrators of violence and lawlessness that can lead to breach of the peace, and law and order anywhere in the country”.
