Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, clashed with security operatives during a protest in Abuja on Friday.
The demonstration, which took place around Banex Junction in Wuse 2, saw protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine”.
Tensions escalated when some protesters reportedly began throwing stones at security operatives. In response, security personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd. The exact number of casualties remains unclear.
Some videos circulating on social media show the Shiites marching through Wuse 2, while eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as security operatives moved in to break up the gathering.
Efforts to reach Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) police command, for comment were unsuccessful.
’At Least Five People Killed’
However, a statement by Sidi Munir Sokoto, spokesperson for Shiites, described the security response as “abuse of power”.
He claimed that as many as five protesters may have been killed, though the exact number of casualties and arrests remains unverified.
“This is yet another tragic incident where security forces have abused their power by targeting innocent civilians who were merely exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement reads.
“As at the time of writing this article, we could not confirm the exact number of those killed, injured and arrested, however from the information we reliably obtained from eyewitnesses the figure of those killed is around 5 people or thereabout. Nevertheless, we will update the public in due course.
“We call on relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. The freedom to peaceful assembly is an inalienable constitutional right that must not be violated.”
Shiites has held several demonstrations in Nigeria, often met with resistance from security operatives.
The latest Shiites protest adds to a series of confrontations between the group and law enforcement agencies.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")