Nigeria‘s parliament in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory has been placed under tight security following Tuesday’s violent clashes between protesters and security agencies.
Gun shots were fired outside the National Assembly building during the clashes sparked by a protest by a group of Shia Muslim protesters.
The protesters from the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), were making an attempt to enter the complex, leading to the confrontation with police.
The leader of the Shia Muslims, Ibrahim Zakzaky has been in detention since 2015. His supporters who dominated the protesters were demanding his release.
A protester told Aljazeera that “The security … took our report to go and give the legislators but perhaps they refused to inform the legislators, or the legislators refused to respond. So we decided to enter and submit it ourselves.”
#Nigeria
The manner in which rights of people are been violated is wrong.
The Nigerian Forces have opened fire on peaceful protesters in the National Assembly,Abuja demanding for the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky. At least one is dead and many were injured. pic.twitter.com/s8fxbwXcLk— Abbas Nigeria (@AbbaMisau1) July 9, 2019
He adds that “they refused us and started spraying tear gas and shooting live bullets sporadically. I saw more than three people collapsing”
#Nigeria’s top #Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim #Zakzaky needs urgent medical treatment #IslamicMovement #FreeZakzaky @ihrc #FreeZakzakyForTreatment pic.twitter.com/qBC6iRU8tG
— Press TV (@PressTV) July 9, 2019
In a statement the police hierarchy said it will ensure maximum security is in place within Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
It rejected claims it was suppressing the voices of protesters saying “such ventilations must be done through legitimate and acceptable processes and not by taking the laws into their own hands.”
Nine police officers also sustained injuries in the clashes.
Source: Africafeeds.com
