- Fatalities and Injuries: At least five people were killed and numerous others injured during a Quds Day procession in Abuja .
- Cause of the Clash: The violence erupted when military forces blocked the procession route and opened fire on unarmed civilians, including women and children .
- Protesters’ Demands: The protesters were demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, who are being held in a correctional facility in Kaduna State .
- International Quds Day: The event is held annually on the last Friday of Ramadan to show solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israeli atrocities .
- Global Participation: Millions of demonstrators participate in Quds Day rallies worldwide to support the Palestinian cause and denounce Israeli aggression .
A deadly confrontation broke out in Abuja on Friday during an International Quds Day procession, resulting in at least five deaths and numerous injuries. Thousands of Shi’ite protesters had gathered near Banex Plaza in Wuse 2 to show solidarity with Palestinians, but military forces blocked the procession route and opened fire, allegedly firing indiscriminately at unarmed civilians, including women and children .
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with protesters throwing stones at civilian vehicles and security forces detaining several people. The violence disrupted commercial activity at Banex Plaza, and social media initially reported one death before the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) confirmed five fatalities .
The IMN suggested that a government directive was behind the crackdown, citing a memo from the National Security Adviser instructing security forces to act. However, the authenticity of the memo has not been confirmed .
The incident has sparked calls for accountability, with the IMN demanding that the military leadership explain why the crackdown occurred. The U.S. Embassy had warned of potential unrest linked to IMN demonstrations, but neither the military nor the government has issued a statement on the fatal clash .
