Two policemen were killed in an attack by a pro-Iranian group in Nigeria
At least two law enforcement officers were killed and three others were found unconscious in an attack by an Iran-backed Shiite group in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Sunday.
Police in the capital have confirmed "an unprovoked attack by the outlawed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on some members of the Nigerian Police Force," police spokeswoman Josephine Adex said.
During the attack on the police checkpoint, "two policemen were killed, three were unconscious in the hospital, and three patrol cars were set on fire," Adex added.
According to police, the attackers carried out their attacks using knives, machetes and improvised explosive devices.
The Commissioner of Police, Abuja, Bennett S. Igwex, condemned the attack and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"The situation is now under control and normal life has been restored," the police said in a statement.
It is noted that the IMN, which was inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the late 1970s, still maintains close ties with Tehran.
It has long been at odds with Nigeria's secular authorities and was banned in 2019.
In July 2021, after more than five years in prison, IMN leader Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife were released by a court in Kaduna in the north of the country.
Zakzaky, a Shia cleric, has repeatedly called for an Iran-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria, which has a predominantly Sunni Muslim population.
Related to the topic
-
Dozens of women and children have died in Nigeria due to a military error
-
Niger has announced that it is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine, accusing Kiev of supporting terrorist groups. Earlier, the government of Mali announced the same decision.
