News
Police Say 2 Officers Killed, Three Injured, Patrol Vehicles Burnt During Clash With Shi’ites In Abuja
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A violent clash between Nigerian police and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday resulted in the deaths of two police operatives, according to the police force.
Additionally, three officers are currently hospitalised and unconscious due to injuries sustained during the confrontation, the police added.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that some armed policemen had fired teargas canisters and live ammunition at IMN members, popularly called Shi’ites, killing an unspecified number of persons and injuring several others during the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja.
The event which started on Saturday, August 24, is to commemorate and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain (AS), who was beheaded at Karbala (in present-day Iraq) in 61 AH, equivalent to 680 CE.
Imam Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib (AS) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sayyida Fatima bintu Muhammad (SAWA), as well as the younger brother of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS).
SaharaReporters gathered that the police violently descended on the IMN during their procession at the Wuse Market.
A squad of gun-wielding policemen fired teargas canisters and live bullets at the sect in an attempt to disperse the peaceful procession.
The situation led to commotion in the area as motorists and passersby scampered to safety with several members of the movement sustaining varying degrees of injury.
An unspecified number of the IMN members were reportedly killed but this could not be independently verified by SaharaReporters.
Confirming the incident on behalf of the movement, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto in a statement, said those who sustained gunshots injuries had been taken to an undisclosed hospital while they were still compiling the number of those who lost their lives.
“We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners. While trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners,” he said.
“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners.
“Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.”
However, the FCT police command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday said two police personnel were killed, three others injured and, in the hospital, while three police patrol vehicles were burnt.
According to her, IMN members attacked a police checkpoint unprovoked. She claimed that they wielded machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally-made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.
According to the police spokesperson, several arrests have been made.
The statement reads in part, “The FCT police command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, where two (2) police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three (3) Police patrol vehicles set ablaze.
“The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.”
“The situation is presently under control and normalcy restored. Further development will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
Prosecutors in Florida, United States, are seeking the d3ath penalty against a woman accused of k!lling both of her ex-husbands on the same day.
Susan Avalon faces charges in the December 17, 2025 k!llings of Timothy Fletcher in Tampa and David Scott in Bradenton, according to authorities.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said it will pursue the d3ath penalty in the case tied to Fletcher’s d3ath.
The investigators said the case began when Manatee County deputies responded to Scott’s shooting and alerted Tampa police.
Scott was still alive when officers arrived and told them the shooter could have been his ex-wife, authorities said.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a vehicle leave the scene. Investigators later located Avalon in Citrus County.
When questioned about her ex-husband, Avalon allegedly responded, “Which one?” according to authorities.
That response led investigators to request a welfare check on Fletcher, who was found fatally shot at his home in Tampa.
Authorities allege Avalon k!lled Fletcher before traveling to Bradenton and shooting Scott.
Avalon is charged with first-degree premeditated m8rder in Fletcher’s death and two counts of second-degree m8rder in Scott’s k!lling.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
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