14 May 2018 | 06:18 PM UTC
Nigeria: IMN protesters shut down Federal Secretariat in Abuja May 14
Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) protesters shut down Federal Secretariat building in Abuja May 14, demanding release of IMN leader Ibrahim el-Zakzaky from custody
Event
Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) protesters reportedly shut down activities at the Federal Secretariat building and obstructed roads in Abuja on Monday, May 14, demanding the release of IMN leader Ibrahim el-Zakzaky from custody. The protesters clashed with police, as well; police fired water cannons at the protesters, who then forced police to retreat from the scene by throwing stones. At least one police officer was wounded in the clashes. A team of police officers was subsequently deployed to disperse the demonstrators. Additional related IMN protests, clashes between protesters and security forces, and consequent localized traffic disruptions are possible in Abuja in the coming days.
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 in mid-April.
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 all protests and demonstrations due to the risk of associated violence and to 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.
