A patrol van of the police was
set ablaze in Abuja on Wednesday by suspected members of the Islamic Movement
in Nigeria (IMN).
For three days now, the IMN
members, better known as Shi’ites, have been protesting the continued detention
of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, their leader.
The clashes have led to loss of
lives and left many injured. There is currently tension in Abuja. Security was
beefed up around the presidential villa in Abuja earlier in the day.
Witnesses revealed that
trouble began on Wednesday when the protesters proceeded towards Amingo area in
Wuse 2, amid heavy security presence.
The security personnel reportedly
intercepted them, forcing the Shiites to pelt them with stones. The security
operatives responded by firing several gunshots into the air in an attempt to
disperse them.
The incident which lasted well
over an hour caused chaos in the area, with passersby scampering for safety.
WHY THE PROTEST?
El-Zakzaky has been in custody of
the Department of State Services (DSS) since December 2015, despite court
orders for his release.
He was arrested at the time after
his followers and some soldiers clashed in Zaria, Kaduna state.
Over 300 people were said to have
been killed as a result of the clash.
This Shi'a group needs to be dealt with decisively to avoid future occurrence
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