Latest news with #SidiMunirSokoto
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Clash between Nigerian security forces and members of pro-Palestinian group kill 6
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Soldiers and members of a Shiite Muslim group clashed in Nigeria's capital Abuja, killing six people, police said Saturday. One security force and five members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were killed in the violence Friday, a police spokesperson said. Members of the religious group were marching in solidarity with Palestinians in their conflict with Israel. The demonstration took place on International Quds Day, which is held on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians worldwide. It is common for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria to embark on demonstrations that often turn violent, leading to loss of life and property. Demonstrations by the group were intense in 2015 after the military cracked down on the group and had its leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, arrested. Despite his release, the group has continued to embark on demonstrations nationwide. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is a Shiite sect that represents around 5% of Nigeria's 100 million Muslims, most of whom are Sunni. Its creation was inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran with the goal of forming an Islamic State in Nigeria through peaceful means. However, the Nigerian government banned the group in 2019 following deadly protests and alleged extremist ties. Sidi Munir Sokoto, a spokesperson of the group, said they marched peacefully and did not do anything to warrant an alleged attack on their procession by the army which led to the death of five of its members. 'This incident is the latest in a series of similar events, where security forces have been abusing their power by targeting innocent civilians who are exercising their legal rights,' Sokoto said in a statement. However, the police said members of the group were armed with firearms, short swords and catapults and upon responding to a distress call they came under 'intense gunfire' that led to 'serious injury' of three security forces and the death of another. Nineteen people were arrested in connection with the incident, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the police in Abuja, said. 'Investigations are ongoing to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice,' she said. Rights group Amnesty International accused the Nigerian military of using tactics designed to kill when dealing with gatherings of the group. Firearms should never be used as a tactical tool for managing demonstrations, and Nigerian authorities are obligated under international law to conduct a full, independent investigation into the deaths, the rights group said.
Associated Press
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Clash between Nigerian security forces and members of pro-Palestinian group kill 6
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Soldiers and members of a Shiite Muslim group clashed in Nigeria's capital Abuja, killing six people, police said Saturday. One security force and five members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were killed in the violence Friday, a police spokesperson said. Members of the religious group were marching in solidarity with Palestinians in their conflict with Israel. The demonstration took place on International Quds Day, which is held on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians worldwide. It is common for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria to embark on demonstrations that often turn violent, leading to loss of life and property. Demonstrations by the group were intense in 2015 after the military cracked down on the group and had its leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, arrested. Despite his release, the group has continued to embark on demonstrations nationwide. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is a Shiite sect that represents around 5% of Nigeria's 100 million Muslims, most of whom are Sunni. Its creation was inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran with the goal of forming an Islamic State in Nigeria through peaceful means. However, the Nigerian government banned the group in 2019 following deadly protests and alleged extremist ties. Sidi Munir Sokoto, a spokesperson of the group, said they marched peacefully and did not do anything to warrant an alleged attack on their procession by the army which led to the death of five of its members. 'This incident is the latest in a series of similar events, where security forces have been abusing their power by targeting innocent civilians who are exercising their legal rights,' Sokoto said in a statement. However, the police said members of the group were armed with firearms, short swords and catapults and upon responding to a distress call they came under 'intense gunfire' that led to 'serious injury' of three security forces and the death of another. Nineteen people were arrested in connection with the incident, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the police in Abuja, said. 'Investigations are ongoing to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice,' she said. Rights group Amnesty International accused the Nigerian military of using tactics designed to kill when dealing with gatherings of the group.
Arab News
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Shiite protesters clash with Nigerian military, police in Abuja
ABUJA: Nigerian police said on Saturday they had come under intense gunfire a day earlier in a neighborhood of the capital, Abuja, during clashes between security forces and Shiite Muslim protesters that led to several reported deaths. Nigeria has a history of deadly clashes between security forces and members of the banned Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which advocates for the peaceful establishment of an Islamic state in Africa's most populous nation. On Friday, dozens of the group's members marched in solidarity with Palestine, but violence broke out when they clashed with soldiers and police. Critics say Nigerian security forces have increasingly resorted to using force, including live ammunition, to quell protests, and that this could radicalize groups like IMN. Police in a statement on Saturday accused the protesters of 'a violent assault' on security personnel armed with firearms and other lethal weapons in Abuja's Wuse 2 neighborhood. 'Police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in the serious injury of three security operatives,' said Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja. One member of the security forces had died and 19 suspects had been arrested, he said. Videos circulating on social media platform X showed protesters waving a Palestinian flag and throwing stones at an army vehicle, followed by the sound of gunfire. Sidi Munir Sokoto, a senior IMN member blamed the military for the violence, saying the protest was peaceful. He put the death toll at five. 'This was the military. The (military) leadership must explain why this happened,' Sokoto said. An army spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for an impartial investigation. 'The army used live ammunition on the protesters. It appears they approach IMN protesters always with the intent to kill,' Sanusi told Reuters, also putting the death toll at five.
Al Arabiya
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Shia protesters clash with Nigerian military, police in Abuja
Nigerian police said on Saturday they had come under intense gunfire a day earlier in a neighborhood of the capital, Abuja, during clashes between security forces and Shia Muslim protesters that led to several reported deaths. Nigeria has a history of deadly clashes between security forces and members of the banned Shia Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which advocates for the peaceful establishment of an Islamic state in Africa's most populous nation. On Friday, dozens of the group's members marched in solidarity with Palestine, but violence broke out when they clashed with soldiers and police. Critics say Nigerian security forces have increasingly resorted to using force, including live ammunition, to quell protests, and that this could radicalize groups like IMN. Police in a statement on Saturday accused the protesters of 'a violent assault' on security personnel armed with firearms and other lethal weapons in Abuja's Wuse 2 neighborhood. 'Police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in the serious injury of three security operatives,' said Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja. One member of the security forces had died and 19 suspects had been arrested, he said. Videos circulating on social media platform X showed protesters waving a Palestinian flag and throwing stones at an army vehicle, followed by the sound of gunfire. Sidi Munir Sokoto, a senior IMN member blamed the military for the violence, saying the protest was peaceful. He put the death toll at five. 'This was the military. The (military) leadership must explain why this happened,' Sokoto said. An army spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for an impartial investigation. 'The army used live ammunition on the protesters. It appears they approach IMN protesters always with the intent to kill,' Sanusi told Reuters, also putting the death toll at five.
Reuters
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Shi'ite protesters clash with Nigerian military, police in Abuja
ABUJA, March 29 (Reuters) - Nigerian police said on Saturday they had come under intense gunfire a day earlier in a neighbourhood of the capital, Abuja, during clashes between security forces and Shi'ite Muslim protesters that led to several reported deaths. Nigeria has a history of deadly clashes between security forces and members of the banned Shi'ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which advocates for the peaceful establishment of an Islamic state in Africa's most populous nation. On Friday, dozens of the group's members marched in solidarity with Palestine, but violence broke out when they clashed with soldiers and police. Critics say Nigerian security forces have increasingly resorted to using force, including live ammunition, to quell protests, and that this could radicalise groups like IMN. Police in a statement on Saturday accused the protesters of "a violent assault" on security personnel armed with firearms and other lethal weapons in Abuja's Wuse 2 neighbourhood. "Police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in the serious injury of three security operatives," said Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja. One member of the security forces had died and 19 suspects had been arrested, he said. Videos circulating on social media platform X showed protesters waving a Palestinian flag and throwing stones at an army vehicle, followed by the sound of gunfire. Sidi Munir Sokoto, a senior IMN member blamed the military for the violence, saying the protest was peaceful. He put the death toll at five. "This was the military. The (military) leadership must explain why this happened," Sokoto said. An army spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for an impartial investigation. "The army used live ammunition on the protesters. It appears they approach IMN protesters always with the intent to kill," Sanusi told Reuters, also putting the death toll at five.
