Nigerian military officers on Monday shot at Shi’ite Muslim protesters who were marching in the capital Abuja. There are fears many were killed and others sustained injuries.
Local media reports that the protesters were demanding the release of their religious leader who has been arrested since 2015.
The protesters belonging to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) demanded the release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, jailed since December 2015.
Zakzaky was arrested when security forces reportedly killed hundreds of his followers in a crackdown on the group.
A court has ruled that the continuous detention of Zakzaky without charge was illegal. The protesters say he must be released immediately.
Local media reports that some of the protesters threw stones at the military before the shooting began.
Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian Army for what it says were acts designed to kill the protesters.
“In many encounters with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria’s members, soldiers applied tactics designed to kill and neutralise an enemy, rather than to ensure public order,” the rights group said.
Source: Africafeeds.com
