Shiites Clash With Security Operatives In Abuja Again- PHOTOS

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) have clashed with security operatives again in Abuja.

The incident, which is the third in less than one week, occurred on Tuesday in the city centre of the Federal Capital Territory.

The group said its members were holding a procession to mark the 2018 Arbaeen, a Muslim religious observance that occurs 40 days after the day of Ashura – another religious observance mostly celebrated by Shiites.

They marched from the Aguiyi Ironsi Road in the Maitama area through Wuse II before they were eventually stopped by the security operatives as they attempted to gain access into the central business district.

The police dispersed the Shiite members using teargas, leading to the violence.

The group is protesting the continued detention of its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, by the Federal Government.

On Saturday, the group clashed with personnel of the Nigerian Military in Zuba, a satellite town on the outskirt of Abuja where at least three people lost their lives.

Two days later, the members of the Shiite group clashed again with soldiers, this time at the Nyanya axis.

According to a statement from the Army, at least three people died on the part of the Shiite group while four soldiers were injured during the incident.

It explained that the Shiites forced their way into the troops’ checkpoint at Kugbo/Karu bridge after overrunning the police.

The three members of the group were reportedly killed while the soldiers were trying to repel them, having attacked the troops.