Protesting members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have shot dead a senior police officer, DCP Umar, who was in charge of Operations at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
Umar was reportedly gunned down as he tried to pacify the rampaging Shi’ite members who disrupted commercial activities and vehicular movement during their protest at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, today.
He was immediately taken to an undisclosed hospital where he died.
The protesters also destroyed vehicles while a Channels Television reporter was also hit by bullets; His identity and condition could not be immediately ascertained.
Our correspondent who was at the Force headquarters saw policemen mourning the deceased who they described as a very kind man.
A police Inspector said, “The DCP was a very good man. We were at the mosque last Friday when he saw one man looking so haggard. The man told him how he had not been paid for over 14 months because he was unable to complete his IPPIS (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information.)
“On hearing that the man was an Inspector, DCP Umar hugged him and immediately made calls to the officers in charge of the platform and the budget office. Today, the Inspector has been directed to come to the IPPIS office for enrollment on the platform. His death is so shocking.”
Also, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly called the Shiites of burnt down two ambulances belonging to NEMA at the Agency’s Emergency Response and Ambulance Bays, ERABs, in Abuja.
Head of Media and Public Relations of NEMA, Malam Sani Datti, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
“This is to confirm that ERABs of the NEMA located on Ahmadu Bello Way beside the federal secretariat was attacked today with two vehicles burnt down.
“The attack was carried out by members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria commonly known as Shi’ites.” he said.
Datti explained that the affected vehicles were the Mobile Intensive Care Unit, which was a life support ambulance, and a multi-purpose Response Intervention Van.
According to him, the ERABs were situated at the location for timely response to emergencies and disasters to reduce loss of lives and property.
He said the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja had while inspecting the damage, noted that the burnt items were very expensive and would cost taxpayers alot of money to replace.
PUNCH
