Nigeria: At least six Shiite protesters dead in clashes with Nigerian police: witnesses

At least six people have been reportedly killed today in Abuja, Nigeria's Capital following a continuous confrontations between the Nigeria Police and the supporters of the Islamic Cleric Leader of the Shi'ite Muslim Group known as Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

According to an eyewitness as quoted by AFP, at least six people of Shiite protesters were shot dead by the Police.

"I am right now in front of six dead bodies, one of them is an underage boy," a Shiite protester, Abdullahi Musa said. "Many, many people were shot."
A deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations in the FCT was reportedly killed in Shiite, police clash on Monday, The Punch reports.

Reports by Saharareporters confirmed that many people were injured in a violent clash between the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiite, and the police on Monday.

A journalist with Channels TV was among the casualties as he was shot and rushed to the hospital.

The group clashed with the police at the federal secretariat during a protest to compel the Federal Government to release it’s their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The protest, which began from NITEL junction at Wuse 2, was disrupted by armed policemen who had cordoned off the road leading to the National Assembly and three arms zone.

Live ammunition was fired at the protesters as they advanced toward the Eagle Square leading to commotion and pandemonium in the area.

President Muhammadu Buhari led Fedral Government in defiance to the ruling of a federal High court has perpetually imprisoned Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

Since Dec. 2015 Sheik El-Zakzaky & his wife are being unlawfully detained. This might be part of a wider effort to cover up the gruesome crimes committed by members of the security forces in Zaria in December 2015 that left hundreds dead.

According to Amnesty International, in Dec. 2015 soldiers of Nigerian army murdered over 350 supporters of IMN; including women & children. Up till now Nigerian govt. has not brought anyone to justice for these killings. Rather, more Shiites were killed by soldiers & police, including 45 people killed in Oct. 2018. AI said.