Nigeria Crackdown: 11 Martyred, 30 Injured As Security Forces Attack ‘Free Zakzaky’ Protesters

By Staff, Agencies

At least 11 persons were martyred and 30 others injured as Nigerian security forces attacked the supporters of leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria [IMN] Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky demanding his release to receive urgent medical treatment in Abuja on Monday.

IMN Sspokesman Ibrahim Musa said in a statement that the Nigerian security forces raided University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada and took the injured people to unknown place.

Musa denied reports by the Nigerian police that Sheikh Zakzaky’s supporters shot at security operatives, adding that the protesters have never carried arms in any of their processions from 2015 to date. "It was the police who shot at the Reporter of Channels TV, another indication that many innocent people were shot at by the police, including some of their own."

The statement said: "Abuja today [on Monday] yet again witnessed one of the worst cases of blatant trampling of the rights of citizens ever seen in the Federal Capital, when joint security forces consisting of both uniformed men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force and others in mufti, unleashed their fury on a Free Zakzaky protest by members of the Islamic Movement."

"What actually happened was that the protesters started the procession from NITEL junction and on getting to federal secretariat the police cordoned off the road and started firing at them. A lot of people have been shot but for now we can only confirm 11 deaths, but several are injured, the figure for now stood at 30. Though we are aware of the fact that the security agents have been going around taking off those they killed from the streets," Musa added.