Deadly Clash in Abuja Between Nigerian Security Forces and Shiite Group

In Abuja, Nigeria's capital, a confrontation between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) resulted in six fatalities on Friday. The IMN, a Shiite Muslim group, was holding a pro-Palestinian march in observance of International Quds Day when the violence erupted. Police reported that one security officer and five IMN members were killed.

The IMN, inspired by Iran's Islamic Revolution, aims to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. Despite being banned by the Nigerian government in 2019 due to previous deadly protests and alleged extremist ties, the group continues to organize demonstrations nationwide. IMN spokesperson Sidi Munir Sokoto asserted that their march was peaceful and condemned the army's alleged unprovoked attack.

Conversely, police stated that IMN members were armed with firearms, short swords, and catapults. Responding to a distress call, security forces reportedly faced "intense gunfire," resulting in serious injuries to three officers and the death of another. Nineteen individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.

Rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized the military's use of lethal force in managing demonstrations and have called for an independent investigation into the deaths.