The Nigerian Police have fired tear gas and bullets to disperse members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as they marched to the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.
The shi’ites procession, which began peacefully from the NICON Junction in Maitama however turned violent as the police blocked the group at the Federal Secretariat and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.
The protest turned violent as some persons were shot and a vehicle was set on fire on the road opposite the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Police officers summoned fire fighters to the scene, as roads leading to the Villa, National Assembly and Police Force Headquarters were cordoned by the military and other security agencies.
“They used live bullets on our members and many have been killed,” Abdullahi Musa, a spokesman of the group said.
The spokesman of the Nigerian Police FCT Command, Manzah Anjuguri did not respond to calls.