UPDATED: Deputy police commissioner, 6 others killed as police, Shi’ites clash again in Abuja

Yusuf Bello|

Usman Umar, deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations in the federal capital territory (FCT), was killed on Monday alongside six members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria when the group again took to the streets of Abuja to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky.

Umar was reportedly shot while trying to pacify the protesting Shi’ite members. He later died at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

The protest, which started from NITEL junction at Wuse zone 2, was disrupted by armed policemen who cordoned off the road leading to the national assembly and three arms zone.

The stand-off by the group lead to a clash with the police at the Federal Secretariat as police fired gunshots and tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Not less than six corpses were seen and later evacuated around federal secretariat, Abuja by the police who dumped the bodies into a Toyota Hilux van.

The clash sparked panic as anxious workers, commuters and motorists abandoned their vehicles in fear.

Following the development, Force spokesman, Frank Mba, later issued a statement, asking residents of Abuja to be calm.

Mba said, “There is a violent protest currently ongoing by members of the El-Zakzakky Group in some parts of the FCT – particularly the Central Business District and the Three Arms Zone. The Police are taking adequate measures to bring the situation under control.”

“Citizens are advised to remain calm and avoid the affected areas in the interim. The Police will keep the public abreast with further development.”