The Nigerian police reported that they came under intense gunfire on Friday during violent clashes with Shi’ite Muslim protesters in Abuja’s Wuse 2 neighborhood. The confrontation, which led to multiple reported deaths, is the latest in a series of conflicts between security forces and the banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
The IMN, which seeks the peaceful establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria, has had a long history of violent encounters with security agencies. On Friday, members of the group staged a march in solidarity with Palestine, but the situation escalated into chaos when they clashed with soldiers and police officers.
Critics have increasingly condemned the Nigerian security forces for their heavy-handed response to protests, warning that excessive force—especially the use of live ammunition—could further radicalize groups like the IMN.
In a statement on Saturday, police accused the protesters of initiating a “violent assault” on security operatives, allegedly using firearms and other dangerous weapons. According to Abuja police spokesperson Josephine Adeh, security personnel encountered heavy gunfire from the protesters, resulting in the death of one officer and serious injuries to three others. Authorities also confirmed the arrest of 19 suspects.
Videos circulating on social media platform X showed demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and hurling stones at an army vehicle, followed by the sound of gunfire. Witnesses and IMN representatives provided a conflicting account, accusing security forces of initiating the violence.
Sidi Munir Sokoto, a senior member of the IMN, insisted that the protest was peaceful and blamed the military for the deadly escalation. He reported a death toll of five and called on authorities to explain their actions.
“This was the military. The (military) leadership must explain why this happened,” Sokoto stated.
Amnesty International Nigeria has called for an independent investigation into the incident. The organization’s director, Isa Sanusi, condemned the use of live ammunition against protesters and accused security forces of targeting IMN demonstrators with lethal intent.
“The army used live ammunition on the protesters. It appears they approach IMN protesters always with the intent to kill,” Sanusi told Reuters, also reporting five fatalities.
As tensions continue to rise, calls for accountability and justice grow louder. The Nigerian military has yet to respond to the allegations.
Source: Reuters