Home LOCAL One killed as police forcefully disperse Shi’ite protesters

One killed as police forcefully disperse Shi’ite protesters

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Police and Shi'ite clash

Men of the Nigerian Police Force on Monday clashed with some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), an encounter that reportedly led to the death of one person at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.

“He was shot dead while trying to gain access to the Unity Fountain alongside members of the sect,” the witness said.

On Friday, the police announced a ban on protests at the garden but IMN members assembled around the place on Monday but were denied access.

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The protesters were said to have stood their ground and when the police lost control of the crowd, they started firing gunshots into the air.

A bullet fired by one of the officers was said to have pierced the window of an office at the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) headquarters.

In recent times, Shi’ites have been converging on the Unity Fountain to demand the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the group, who has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for over two years.

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El-Zakzaky was arrested in December 2015 after some of his followers clashed with soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna state.

The window pierced by bullet. Photo credit: Alhassan Bala

Over 300 people were said to have been killed during the clash.

The group has held a series of protests over the continued detention of El-Zakzaky.

When contacted, Anjuguri Manzah, spokesman of the FCT police command, told TheCable he had no information on the attack.

 

Credit: TheCable

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