The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Peter Ogunyanwo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Jos.

ViewPointNigeria’s analyst reports that last week Shiite members had embarked on a procession to mark their “Ashura festival”, in defiance of police advice.

Unfortunately, the procession meant that they were attacked by other Muslim groups, who view their activities as an affront. The attack didn’t just happen in Plateau, but across several states in a manner which several people describe as pre-planned.

Although, no person was reported dead, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the clash.

According to Ogunyanwo, 45 Shiite members were arrested by the men of Operation Safe Haven and handed over to the police.

“The procession by members of Shiite in Jos, which later turned violent, resulted in the arrest of 45 of them by the men of Operation Safe Haven and later handed over to us for prosecution.

“Without much delay, we arraigned 44 of them because one among them is a minor; he is just four years old.

“As I am speaking to you, the 44 arraigned have been remanded in prison.

“We actually advised them not hold that procession because the peace being enjoyed on the Plateau is still fragile and we envisaged violence arising from that.

“But they did not heed to our advice and went ahead with the procession.

“ As predicted the procession turned violent, with properties worth millions destroyed,” he said.

The commissioner admonished citizens of the state to be law abiding and support the force in its bid to rid the state of crime.

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44 Shiite Sect Members Remanded in Jos Prison – Police