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Police Arrest 97 Shi’ites As IMN Denies Killing Cops
The Nigeria Police Force and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have disagreed on their accounts of the bloody Sunday clash in Abuja, leading to the deaths of policemen and Shi’ites.
The police, in a statement by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said they arrested 97 Shi’ites over the Sunday violence wherein two policemen were killed and three others critically injured.
But the leader of the Shi’ite group, Prof. Isah-Hassan Mshelgaru, distanced his members from the death and destruction of police vehicles.
He added that the police were attempting to blame the deaths of their officers on the Shi’ite group to give them a bad name.
The Force spokesperson, Adejobi, in a statement on Monday noted that “the police condemn Shi’ite attack in Abuja, order operatives to hunt for sponsors, killers of policemen.”
He also disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered operatives to track down and arrest the sponsors and those responsible for the killing of the police personnel.
The police had last Sunday said Shi’ite members attacked its personnel during their procession, leading to the death of two police officers, while three were unconscious in the hospital.
But in a counter statement, the IMN also claimed that the police killed and injured several of their members during their procession in the Wuse area of the FCT.
The IG, in the statement, vowed that the police would hunt the killers, stating: “Those who murdered these policemen have murdered peace”.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has condemned, vehemently, an unprovoked attack by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, commonly known as the Shi’ite group, on police personnel in Abuja on August 25, 2024.
“In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, the progressive efforts of police operatives have led to the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.
“The IGP has also reaffirmed the unalloyed zeal of the Force to arrest other involved persons and bring the killers to justice, emphasising his commitment to maintaining law and order and resisting all sorts of anarchy and unrest in any part of the country.
“The unprovoked killings of police officers in the line of duty are highly outrageous and unacceptable as those who murdered these policemen have murdered peace.”
Adejobi vowed that the police would uncover the extent of the attack to prevent a reoccurrence of the incident.
He said the IG condoled with the grieving families of the slain policemen and wished the injured officers a speedy recovery.
Adejobi said, “As investigations unfold, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to uncover the full extent of this attack and prevent future occurrences of such violence against police officers.
“The IGP offers heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families of the fallen police officers, mourning their loss alongside them and also wishes a speedy recovery to those currently undergoing treatment, hoping for their swift return to full health.”
He, however, said the police required the support of the citizens to maintain law and order.
But in a counter statement, the IMN leader, Mshelgaru, accused the police of attacking the Shi’ites in Abuja during their procession.
Mshelgaru noted that the procession was a global event celebrated not only in Nigeria, adding that in other states like Kano and Sokoto, and others, the event was peaceful.
“There was no clash with anyone, not even the security operatives in those states. We are not aware of the death of any police officers. If there was any, we are not responsible. We didn’t burn down any property.
“They are doing this to give us a bad name. If they want to arrest innocent people they can go ahead. This is not the first time they will be doing that. “
Mshelgaru also demanded the release of Shi’ite members in police custody, insisting that the group knew nothing about the death of the police officers.
He said, “We can’t say specifically the number of people arrested by the police. We are still counting. We will release our figures when we are done. We know for a fact that four of our members who were unconscious were arrested, we don’t know their fate. We are, however, demanding the release of our members in police custody; we are not responsible for the purported death of their officers.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
