Nigerian police in Abuja attack Shia protesters for 2nd day

Fierce clashes have erupted for the second consecutive day between Nigerian police and hundreds of Shia protesters demanding the release of top Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

Fierce clashes have erupted for the second consecutive day between Nigerian police and hundreds of Shia protesters demanding the release of top Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The latest clashes broke out after police fired teargas at members of the Shia community in Nigeria and activists from several other civil society groups in Wuse Market area of Abuja at midday on Tuesday.

Media reports said scores of protesters were also detained by armed police wearing bulletproof vests and gas masks during the clashes.

“We’ve come under serious attack today,” said Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians, a civil society group involved in the demonstration.

“The more they attack the more (we) come out,” Deji said, adding, “We want to defy tyranny and a dictatorship.”

Police also used live ammunition as they forcefully dispersed angry protesters in Abuja on Monday. Organizers said at least one demonstrator had been killed and several others injured.

According to local media, at least 115 protesters were also detained by Nigerian security forces at the massive protest rally.