There was chaos in the Nyanya and Mararaba areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria had a fresh clash with troops of the Nigerian Army, during which several persons were injured and some feared dead.
Sporadic gunshots rent the air at the Nyanya and Mararaba ends of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, close to Nasarawa State border, as soldiers tried to block the Shiites, who embarked on a protest from 3pm on Monday to demand the release of its leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and in solidarity with its deceased members. This is just as the Amnesty International condemned the Nigerian Army on Monday for applying tactics designed to kill on members of the Islamic Movement, some of whom were shot dead during a clash with soldiers in the Zuba area of Abuja.
Although the military through the Army Garrison Headquarters, Abuja, said on Sunday that three Shiites were shot dead during the altercation, the sect in a release on Monday said the army killed six of its protesters during the clash. The Shiites, speaking through their Spokesperson, Abdullahi Musa, gave the names of the deceased as Abdulaziz Maigana, Mikailu Katsina, Rabiu Malumfashi, Said Khalid, Abu-Dajjana Manzo and Ukasha Madalla.
In a fresh clash on Monday in Nyanya and Mararaba areas, soldiers reportedly blocked the Shiites from coming inwards towards Abacha Barracks and Asokoro. The blockade infuriated members of the sect and a violent clash occurred. The Shiites pelted the soldiers with stones and other objects while the soldiers fired gunshots to disperse the crowds.
Photo Credit: Getty
