A massive protest took place in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, to mark the International Qudus in solidarity with Palestine.
Members of the sect trooped out in their numbers shortly after the Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque.
They defied the presence of the heavily armed security agents who had surrounded the mosque to prevent the sect from embarking on the rally.
The placard-carrying protesters were chanting “Freedom For Palestine” and “Death to Israel.”
A member of the group, Yahaya Suleiman, was reported to have said the rally was aimed at showing support and love to their brothers and sisters who had been under the siege of Israel.
“We condemn the continued incursion into Al-qsa Mosque and occupation of Palestine by the apartheid Zionist Israeli regime and we support people of Palestine in their just struggle.”
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Academic Forum of the Movement, Abdullahi Musa confirmed the gruesome killing of two of their members by the Nigerian Police who opened fire on them in Kaduna during the rally.
He described the attack as uncalled for, adding that no security agent could stop them from exercising their religious beliefs.
As at time of this report the protesters headed towards the Wuse Market area wielding Palestinian national flags and chanting anti- government songs.
Armed security operatives were earlier stationed at strategic positions around the mosque causing tension among the residents and motorists.
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