At least eight people were killed in clashes between Shiite protesters and Nigerian police in Abuja on Monday, with a journalist and a deputy police commissioner among those shot dead in the latest bloodshed over the detention of a religious leader.
Thousands of demonstrators are clashing with police in the nation’s capital, Abuja, and demanding the release of cleric Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been held since December 2015 on charges including terrorism.
Police opened fire with live ammunition as well as tear gas, while protesters threw petrol bombs at the officers, and burnt down a NEMA facility and emergency vehicles.
One Shiite protester, Abdullahi Musa, said: “I am right now in front of six dead bodies, one of them is an underage boy.”
“Many, many people were shot, he said while speaking with AFP.
The IMN put the toll at 11.
The IMN have held almost daily marches in the capital in recent months amid concerns Zakzaky’s health is deteriorating.
In a statement, THE Police said over 3,000 Shi’ites took part in the protest, added that two Assistant Superintendents of Police were injured.
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