A clash between the police and protesting members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in the Federal Capital Territory has led to the death of one officer.

Adama Ezekiel, the policeman officer, was allegedly stabbed to death by members of IMN, also known as Shi’tes.

During the protest on Friday, an altercation occurred at Berger roundabout in the Wuse district of Abuja, and Ezekiel was among the policemen deployed to restore calm to the area.

The IMN members are demanding the release of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, their leader.

Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat have been in detention since December 2015. They face trial for charges, including unlawful assembly, culpable homicide and disruption of public peace

IMN, Zakzaky’s group, was banned in July 2019 after a series of deadly clashes with police. The group had alleged that the police were responsible for the death of at least 20 of their members before it was banned.

Mariam Yusuf, spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, said 49 members of the Islamic sect were arrested over the death of the officer.

“Unfortunately, the members of the disbanded sect went on a rampage, destroying public property and attacking innocent citizens including police officers, using dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, sharp knives, etc,” Yusuf said.

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“Sadly, one of the Police Officers Asp Adama Ezekiel deployed to restore calm during the violent protest paid the supreme price as a result of the brutal attack… he was stabbed by one of the irate protesters.”

In April, FIJ reported how two Shi’ites were murdered by the Police during a protest in Abuja.