(Videos) Tension As Shiite Members And Police Clash In Abuja

A clash between the police and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria aka Shiites has caused a palpable tension in the Maitama area of the FCT.

Reports claim the Shiite members are demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, his wife, and other members of the group who have been in military detention since December 2015 following the bloody clash between the group and the military in Kaduna state.

The Islamic sect members reportedly got angry when the police tried to stop them from staging a protest at the Unity Fountain few days after the security agents granted approval for another Islamic sect, Tajjiniyya, to gather and celebrate their leader, Shehu Ibrahim Inyass Maulud 2018 at Eagle Square over the weekend. The Shiite members believe they are being marginalised by the security agents.

Gunshots were fired during the clash.

See videos and photos from the scene below

Please my fellow #Abuja #residents take care as you pass #Transcorp #Hilton area. There’s unrest there. #ItIsWell

A post shared by messenger.ng (@messenger.ng) on Apr 16, 2018 at 5:20am PDT

Alleged Shiites attacking police van
Happening right now near transcorp Junction
Stay safe folks#Abujaunrest pic.twitter.com/m90gxwDb8i

— Chubby Daniels (@chubychris) April 16, 2018