There was heavy traffic in Abuja this morning ensuring that most persons stay in traffic for upwards of 4hrs as security operatives mounted check points in strategic locations because of seeming report of security challenge emanating from the Shiite members activities.
Frantic distress messages have been sent to loved ones because of the seeming unending fracas between the Shiites and security forces.
Some of the messages read as follows:
“Wao wao wao. It was scary…thick gunpowder smoke in the air with heavily armed policemen and solders everywhere. I saw smoke coming out of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
May God help us”.
“Abuja is on fire at the moment. Shiite vs Police/Army in gun battle ata the moment.
Tell your loved ones to avoid central Area, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat for now”
Members of the Nigerian Shia community have been persecuted in some cases, but in other cases have united with Nigerian Sunni in the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. Cleric Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky is a primary figure in the movement.
In 2014, the Zaria Quds Day massacres took place, leaving 35 dead. In 2015, the Zaria massacre during which 348 Shia Muslims were killled by the Nigerian Army.
In April 2018, clashes broke out as Nigerian police fired teargas Shia protesters who were demanding the release of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, who had been detained for two years with no trial. The clashes left at least one protester dead and several others injured. Further, Nigerian police detained at least 115 protesters.
In October 2018, Nigerian military killed at least 45 peaceful Shia protesters. After soldiers began to fire, they targeted protesters fleeing the chaos. Many of the injured were shot in the back or legs.
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