Shiite: Police Remand 44 Members In Jos

Police in Plateau state have confirmed the arrest of 44 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria for their involvement in Wednesday’s procession which resulted in violence.

Members of the Movement, who are also known as Shiites, had embarked on a procession in defiance of police order and violence erupted when the Shiite members had a clash with non -Shiite members.

No person was reported dead. But properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the clash.

The Commissioner of Police in the State Mr Peter Ogunyanwo disclosed the arrest while briefing newsmen in Jos.

According to Ogunyanwo, 45 Shiite members were arrested by the men of Operation Safe Haven and handed over to the police.

Police arrest 45 members, including a minor

“The procession by members of Shiite in Jos, which later turned violent, resulted in the arrest of 45 of them by the men of Operation Safe Haven and later handed over to us for prosecution.

“Without much delay, we arraigned 44 of them because one among them is a minor; he is just four years old.

“As I am speaking to you, the 44 arraigned have been remanded in prison.

“We actually advised them not to hold that procession because the peace being enjoyed on the Plateau is still fragile and we envisaged violence arising from that.

“But they did not heed to our advice and went ahead with the procession.

“ As predicted the procession turned violent, with properties worth millions destroyed,” he said.

The commissioner admonished citizens of the state to be law abiding and support the force in its bid to rid the state of crime.