The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shiites, on Monday clashed with the Nigeria Police during one of their protests along Unity Fountain, Maitama Abuja.
The police Anti-Riot Squad forcefully dispersed the IMN members who were seen scampering for their safety while scores of others are feared killed by police’s sporadic gunshots and tear gas.
Over the past two years, Shiites have launched series of protests in order to force the Nigerian government to release their ‘illegally detained leader’, Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky.
Recall that the group announced its plans to start a global protest from 15 April, to coincide with a hundred days of continuous ‘Free Zakzaky protests’ in Nigeria.
However, the protest came after the FCT Police Commissioner, Sadiq Bello, had already banned all protests and rallies in the city, especially at the popular Unity Fountain, Abuja.
In defiance of this order, the members of the group, on Monday gathered for a sit-out at the same venue, a development that provoked the police to read a riot act upon them.
Sequel to that, DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that not less than 20 people were feared killed while others injured following an open confrontation between the Police and the Shiite group.
However, as at the time of filling this report, the FCT Police Command is yet to issue out the exact figures of the fatalities and casualties.
