KADUNA (Nigeria), July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Members of Nigeria’s Shiite sect, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, say two of their members were killed and several injured in the northern city of Kaduna when police fired on an anti-government demonstration.
The group said in a statement on the killings happened last Thursday at a protest against the detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
The IMN group has held several protests last week demanding the release of Zakzaky, who is reportedly in failing health.
On Tuesday a group of Shiite protesters tried to enter Nigeria’s National Assembly in the capital Abuja. Police dispersed them and the IMN says two of their members were shot dead in that incident.
Nigeria’s police did not confirm that any protesters were killed in either of the incidents and instead blamed the group for the violence at the National Assembly and said two of their officers were injured by gunshots.
The Kaduna and Abuja incidents highlight the growing tension between the police and the Shiites who have stepped up their demonstrations calling for the release of their leader who has been jailed since 2015. — NNN-AGENCIES
