The Nigerian military has accused “violent” demonstrators of instigating clashes that left 12 people dead during a protest in Abuja on Friday. The demonstration, organized by the banned Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to mark Quds Day, turned deadly, with 11 protesters and one soldier losing their lives, according to a government intelligence report obtained by AFP.
While Amnesty International alleges that soldiers fired live rounds at protesters, the military disputes this, claiming security forces were attacked first. “The protesters became outrageously violent, firing at and attempting to overrun security operatives,” said army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu. He added that one soldier was killed and two others wounded in the ensuing gunfire.
IMN, banned in 2019 for advocating an Islamic revolution, has been at odds with Nigerian authorities for years. The group denied instigating violence, claiming security forces attacked their procession, leaving many injured. The intelligence report stated that 19 people were wounded, 295 arrested, and a soldier also sustained injuries.
Amnesty International criticized the crackdown, stating that IMN members had the right to hold a religious procession and accusing the military of “extrajudicial executions” against the group. The organization also shared footage of a detained protester being beaten by security forces.
IMN leader Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has long called for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria, was released in 2021 after over five years in prison. The movement, inspired by Iran’s 1979 revolution, maintains close ties with Tehran, fueling tensions with Nigerian authorities.
