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Shiites Clash With Police Over Leader In Abuja

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Following the continues detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky, members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria(IMN), known as Shiites have clashed with the police at the Federal Secretariat Complex on Monday.

Their Initial tranquil protest turned violent, as they demand the release of the wife of Zakzaky from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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Just a few metres from the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly complex, the angry protesters grounded the Secretariat complex and took over the roads in the area.

According to reports, the angry protesters, who were armed with stones were daring security operatives that were earlier deployed in the area to dislodge them.

A team of policemen swiftly arrived at the scene to disperse them with tear gas and water cannon, while the Shiites also destroyed a police vehicle.

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In a related development, the federal government have been accused by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)  of disobeying court orders over the continued detention of El-Zakzaky.

The United Nations have been asked by SERAP to uphold Nigeria’s international obligations on the protection of the independence and integrity of the judiciary, in a partition dated May 11, 2018.

El-Zakzaky was detained after members of the Shiite group clashed with soldiers in Zaria in December 2015, an incident which led to the killing by soldiers of hundreds of people.

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subsequently El-Zakzaky and three other leaders of the Shiite group were charged to court on the 18th of April 2018 by the Kaduna State government.

The Shiite leaders were charged with eight counts bordering on culpable homicide, inciting disturbance and promoting unlawful assembly.

NAN reports that in a face-off on April 23, the Shiites threw stones and other objects at the security operatives, causing damage to cars and buildings in the Maitama area of Abuja.