Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun confirmed the arrest of 97 suspects over the killing of policemen in Abuja and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.
This figure surpasses the 62 arrests initially reported by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh.
Following the incident, the police launched a manhunt for those responsible for the deaths of two police officers during a violent clash with members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 25, near Wuse Junction in Abuja, where gunmen stormed a police checkpoint, killing and injuring many officers.
The assailants, armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices, and knives, launched a series of assaults, killing two police officers and gravely injuring four others, including a female officer. During the battle, the terrorists set fire to three police patrol vehicles.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, issued a statement reiterating the IGP’s commitment to investigating the full scope of the attack and preventing similar violence against police officers in the future. The IGP also offered his sincere condolences to the families of the dead cops and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
It reads; “In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun , the progressive efforts of police operatives have led to the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.
“The IGP has also reaffirmed the unalloyed zeal of the Force to arrest other involved persons and bring the killers to justice, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining law and order and resisting all sorts of anarchy and unrest in any part of the country.