By Parrot Newspaper Shi’ite Protest Turns Deadly as Five Die in Abuja
By Ricky Awodi
Shi’ite Protest Turns Deadly in Abuja
ABUJA – Tragedy struck in the heart of Nigeria’s capital on Friday as security forces clashed with Shi’ite protesters during an International Quds Day procession, leading to the deaths of at least five people and injuring many others. The confrontation, which occurred near Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about government crackdowns on religious demonstrations.
What Sparked the Violence?
Thousands of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) gathered to commemorate the last Friday of Ramadan, an annual event showing solidarity with Palestinians. However, tensions escalated when military forces, using armored vehicles, confronted the demonstrators. According to eyewitnesses, security forces fired live ammunition at unarmed civilians, including women and children.
A senior IMN member, who requested anonymity, described the chaos:
> “We planned to gather at the National Mosque, but security forces had already occupied it. To avoid confrontation, we moved toward the Customs Office but were blocked again. Finally, as we reached Banex Plaza, where there was no security presence initially, the military arrived and started shooting.”
Government Directive Behind Crackdown?
The crackdown appears to have been premeditated. The IMN leader referenced a memo allegedly from the National Security Adviser, instructing security forces to intervene.
> “We saw the memo, stamped and signed, sent secretly to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. It was distributed nationwide, yet only Abuja witnessed bloodshed.”
Despite these claims, the government has not confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
Eyewitnesses Share Conflicting Accounts
While IMN sources insist that security forces attacked unarmed demonstrators, some residents and business owners in the area report a different version of events.
Terlula Michael, an engineer working at Banex Plaza, alleged that some protesters resorted to violence:
> “I saw protesters throwing stones at civilian vehicles—how is that peaceful?”
Call for Accountability and Justice
The military’s heavy-handed response has drawn criticism, with activists and international observers demanding accountability. The violence also disrupted commercial activities at Banex Plaza, as panic spread following gunfire.
The U.S. Embassy had earlier issued a security warning regarding possible unrest linked to IMN demonstrations. However, as of press time, neither the military nor the Nigerian government has issued an official statement on the deadly crackdown.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
The incident comes barely weeks after Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister publicly expressed support for Palestinian freedom at a Muslim congress in Saudi Arabia. The contradiction between the government’s international stance and its domestic crackdown has raised questions about policy inconsistencies.
The IMN and human rights organizations are now calling for an independent investigation into the killings, demanding justice for the victims and accountability from security agencies.
As more details emerge, the international community will be watching closely to see how the Nigerian government responds to yet another case of alleged excessive force against peaceful protesters.