At least five people were killed and multiple others injured when security forces opened fire on Shi’ite protesters during an International Quds Day procession in Abuja on Friday.
The violent confrontation occurred near Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, where thousands of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) had gathered to mark the last Friday of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians.
According to eyewitness accounts, military forces deployed armoured vehicles and blocked the procession route after Jummah prayers. Jafaar Gali, a leader of the procession, told reporters that soldiers attempted to stop them near Zenith Bank at Banex, admitting that protesters responded by throwing stones.
A senior IMN member, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed the crackdown was orchestrated following a memo from the National Security Adviser instructing security forces to act. The protesters had initially planned to gather at the National Mosque before relocating to different areas to avoid confrontation.
“The military started shooting indiscriminately at unarmed civilians, including women and children,” the source stated. “They brought an armoured vehicle, blocked the road, and fired without provocation.”
An eyewitness, Terlula Michael, who spoke to Vanguard, offered a contrasting perspective, questioning the protesters’ peaceful intentions by noting they were throwing stones at civilian vehicles.
The U.S. Embassy had previously warned of potential unrest linked to IMN demonstrations. As of Friday evening, neither the military nor the government had issued an official statement about the fatal clash.
Another Shi’ite member, Muhammad, spoke with Premium Times and claimed that the bodies of those killed were taken to Mararaba in Nasarawa State. Three military vans were observed evacuating people to an undetermined location.
By evening, police and soldiers had taken control of streets in parts of Abuja, particularly in the Wuse area. Attempts to reach official spokespersons for the Abuja police and Defence Headquarters were unsuccessful.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Nigerian government, which has historically treated the Shi’ite group as violent, and the IMN, who maintain their annual Quds Day procession as a global show of solidarity with Palestinians.
Further investigations are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding this deadly confrontation.
Featured image: Premium Times
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