Nigerian troops kill Shiite protesters

At least three people were killed when supporters of an imprisoned Shiite cleric clashed with security forces during a protest in Abuja, prompting warnings to the government that a heavyhanded approach could radicalise elements in the group.

The military said troops and police on Monday “repelled the attack” by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), who also “fired weapons”, threw stones and Molotov cocktails. “Unfortunately during the encounter three members of the sect were killed while four soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.”

The deaths bring to six the number of IMN supporters who have been killed in demonstrations since Saturday and heighten concerns about further crackdowns on the group.

The army claimed the protesters attacked a military convoy and tried to steal weapons and ammunition.

Monday’s clashes happened at a checkpoint as security services stopped the protesters coming into the city.

AFP pictures showed several bodies of civilians on the ground but it was not clear whether they were dead or injured.

Human rights group Amnesty International said reports that troops fired live bullets at protesters were “very disturbing” and the act would be unlawful if they were unarmed.

The IMN has staged a series of demonstrations demanding the release of its leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been in custody since December 2015 after clashes in the northern city of Zaria. The military was accused of killing more than 300 IMN supporters and burying them in mass graves.

Zakzaky has been at loggerheads with Nigeria’s secular authorities for years because of his calls for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution. Northern Nigeria is majority Sunni Muslim. The cleric has only been seen in public twice since he was detained.

Nigeria’s government has previously ignored a court order to release Zakzaky and his wife.

In April, at least 115 IMN supporters were arrested during protests in Abuja when police used teargas and water cannon. IMN processions for the annual Ashura festival have frequently been flashpoints.

REPORTS THAT TROOPS FIRED LIVE BULLETS ARE VERY DISTURBING AND THE ACT WILL BE UNLAWFUL IF THE PROTESTERS WERE UNARMED