Nigeria police disperse Shiite protesters with tear gas in Abuja

Policemen have again dispersed with tear gas some Shiite protesters at Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

According to report from Punch online, the policemen fired tear gas canisters at the youths, who responded by throwing stones at the policemen.

The incident caused pandemonium as traders in nearby shopping malls hurriedly closed their shops while motorists looked for alternative routes to escape the scene of the incident.

A number of the protesters were arrested and taken away in police patrol vans.

The operatives are still searching the streets in the area for the other fleeing protesters.

In a similar report, the police fired shots forcefully dispersing the protesting members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN.

Hundreds of IMN members started their protest from Garki Area 10 heading towards Area 1 shortly before they were barricaded by armed security operatives at Moshood Abiola Road on Area 2 junction of the Nigerian capital.

The Shiites insisted on continuing with their peaceful march.

The Shiites are demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been held without trial by the government for almost two years.