A Channels Television reporter was among those reportedly hit by bullet bullet as members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites clashed with officers of the Nigerian Police on Monday in Abuja.
Police engaged memebers ofthe Islamic sect who were protesting tje continued detentipn of their leader Sheik Ibrahim El-Zazaky.
The identity of the reporter who shot was not immediately known, but Channels Tv gave the indication in their report on the IMN-police clash.
Reports further indicated that some unspecified IMN members, wnichfigure may be as high as six, may been shot in the violent clashes.
It was learnt tha the switched from firing teargas canisters to live bullets when when the protesters, advanced towards the Federal Secretariat in the Central Business District and the Three Arm Zone, housing the Presidency, the Supreme Court and the National Assembly.
Policemen who cordoned off the road leading to the National Assembly and the three arms zone disrupted the protest by the Shiites, firing teargas to disperse the crowd.
Shiekh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, and his wife, have been in detention since December 2015, after the IMN members clashed with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Kaduna, during a procession.
Frank Mba, force spokesman, later issued a statement, asking residents of Abuja to be calm.
“There is a violent protest currently ongoing by members of the El-Zakzakky Group in some parts of the FCT – particularly the Central Business District and the Three Arms Zone. The Police are taking adequate measures to bring the situation under control,” he said.
“Citizens are advised to remain calm and avoid the affected areas in the interim. The Police will keep the public abreast with further development.”
