The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended Shuaibu Dass, a member of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shi’ites, for allegedly attempting to bribe police officers with N1.5 million. The bribe was reportedly offered to secure the release of Abdul Kareem Ahmed, a prominent figure and financier within the Shi’ite group.
During a press briefing on Monday, FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, stated that Ahmed had been arrested by operatives from the State Intelligence Department. Ahmed is being held in connection with the murder of two police officers during a Shi’ite procession. The police allege that members of the Shi’ite group, without provocation, attacked law enforcement officers, resulting in the deaths of the two officers and the destruction of three patrol vehicles.
In the aftermath of the incident, 97 Shi’ite members were taken into custody. However, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Professor Isah-Hassan Mshelgaru, has denied any involvement of his members in the killing of the officers or the damage to the police vehicles.
Commissioner Igweh further explained that the suspects, Dass and Ahmed, are currently undergoing interrogation. Both individuals are believed to be connected not only to the deaths of the officers but also to the serious injuries sustained by three other policemen who were stationed at Wuse Market Junction on August 25, 2024.
Speaking about the arrest, Igweh said, “On September 5, Shuaibu Dass, a resident of Durumi 1 and known member of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, offered a sum of N1,500,000 to police officers in an attempt to facilitate the release of Abdul Kareem Ahmed. Ahmed, a key figure in the Shi’ite Sect, was arrested by the State Intelligence Department in an operation led by ACP Mohammed Baba on August 25, 2024.”
Both suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court after the investigation is completed.
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