ABUJA — Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) woke up to a heavy deployment of security personnel on Thursday morning, following intelligence reports of a potential protest by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as the Shiites.
Strategic locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagles Square, and major entry points into the city center, have been cordoned off by a combined team of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Civil Defence.
Group Denies Protest Plans
Despite the visible build-up of force, the IMN has officially distanced itself from any planned demonstration. In a brief statement, the group described the reports as “baseless” and denied mobilizing its members for any street action in the capital today.
However, security agencies appear to be taking no chances, citing past confrontations between the group and law enforcement which have occasionally turned violent.
Commuters Face Delays
The heavy presence of armed personnel has led to significant traffic gridlock along the Mararaba-Nyanya and Kubwa expressways as security teams conduct “stop-and-search” operations on suspicious vehicles.
“We are just being proactive,” a senior police source stated. “The goal is to ensure that residents can go about their business without the threat of a breakdown in law and order.”
Ongoing Surveillance
The FCT Police Command has urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, noting that the deployment is a “precautionary measure” to maintain the peace. Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) remain stationed at the federal secretariat and other sensitive government installations.
As of midday Thursday, no protesters have been spotted, though the heavy security cordon remains firmly in place across the city’s major intersections.
