Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian army has confirmed the killing of three members of the Shiite group during its clash with the group at Kugbo, in the Federal Capital territory yesterday.
The army also said four soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and current receiving medical attention in one of its facilities in Abuja.
In an update about the clash in its Facebook page, titled “ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA ATTACK SOLDIERS AND POLICE ON DUTY AT KUGBO/KARU CHECK POINT ON MONDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2018′, the army said “Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed on routine duty at Kugbo/ Karu bridge checkpoint of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were attacked by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) sect at about 3:00pm on 29th October 2018.
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“The sect in massive numbers forced their way into the troops checkpoint after over running the Police Force.
“The Police with drew back to own troops position to join efforts to repel them.
“They fired weapons at own troops, throwing bottle cannisters with fuel, large stones, catapults with dangerous objects and other dangerous items at troops causing bodily harm and stopping motorist movement, breaking their windscreen and causing heavy traffic.
“However, Troops repelled the attack in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force to stop the situation from further deteriorating.
“Unfortunately, during the encounter 3 members of the sect were killed while 4 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and are being treated at a military medical facility.
“Meanwhile, the situation has been brought under control and normalcy restored in the general area and there is free flow of traffic.
“Members of the public living within Abuja and environs are enjoined to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation.
“The Nigerian Army will not deter in carrying out its constitutional roles and also safeguarding law abiding citizens.”