Nigeria: IMN protests continue in Abuja /update 2

Event

Members of the banned group Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) continued their protests in the capital Abuja on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 17 (local time), demanding the release of IMN leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. Protesters reportedly gathered in the Wuse neighborhood and marched toward Berger Junction before being dispersed by police; the demonstrators managed to regroup at Berger Junction before again being dispersed by with tear gas and water cannons.

Further demonstrations with the potential to turn violent are likely in Abuja in the coming days. Localized transportation disruptions (including roadblocks and traffic congestion) are possible in the vicinity of protests.

Context

IMN protests occur on a regular basis - especially in Abuja and the states of Kaduna and Kano - despite a ban on the group’s activities. Security forces dispersed similar protests in Abuja on April 13 and April 16.

Zakzaky, a prominent Shi'ite cleric, was arrested in December 2015 when army forces raided his home in Zaria (Kaduna state), killing a number of IMN followers in the process. The Nigerian Federal High Court ordered Zakzaky’s release in December 2016 but he has nevertheless remained in detention. He was reportedly in poor health as of early January 2018 and IMN protesters have demanded his release for medical treatment.

Advice

Individuals in Abuja are advised to avoid this and all protests due to the risk of associated violence and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

In general, the security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.