Crime
Many feared dead as soldiers, police open fire on protesting Shiites in Abuja
Several people were feared killed after soldiers and policemen opened fire on Shiite protesters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The protesters under the aegis of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shiites, staged the annual Arbaeen trek along 3rd Avenue, Gwarimpa district of Abuja.
It was gathered that security operatives stormed the area around 8am, shooting sporadically to disperse the protesters.
FILE PHOTO: Shiite protesters pelting stones at a Nigerian Police armoured tank
Eyewitnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that over eight persons were shot dead during the attack by security forces including passersby.
“It was around 8:00 am we started hearing gunshots along the road. The shooting lasted about 10 minutes.
”But after the shooting, the gunmen appeared to have succeeded in thoroughly dispersing the Arbaeen trekkers.
“I can’t say how many people were killed but the corpses we have counted were eight. What I can tell you is that up to eight people were killed in the incident.
” Some of the passersby who had nothing to do with the Shi’ites may have also been involved,” the source said.
Due to the ensuing chaos and pandemonium, the Kubwa expressway was blocked as many commuters abandoned their vehicles for safety.
It was also gathered that soldiers assaulted female members of the sect during a stop-and-search operation on Tuesday.
