By Christopher Ade-
The Nigerian security forces violated international law by using live ammunition against Shiite Muslim demonstrators during a series of protests in the capital, Abuja.
Amnesty international say the killings were brutal and unnecessary, and undermine the rule of law. The protests were designed to demand the release of their detained leader.
The London-based human-rights group said the security forces killed at least 45 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and wounded 122 during processions leading up to Arbaeen. Arbaeen is a religious festival celebrated by Shiites globally. Members of the Civil Society Organisation(CSO) have urged the Nigerian government to forbid the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ites.
They say the extremist group is being sponsored by rogues based in Iran, and fear the situation could escalate to worrying levels of terrorism in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to comment on the violence of the past few days.The Nigerian government have so far declined to comment on the killings.
The army said earlier in the week it killed six protesters and acted in self-defense. The police said in a statement also issued earlier this week that 400 people were arrested, some of whom threw petrol bombs and burned a patrol vehicle, without mentioning casualties.
The Nigerian authorities have detained the Shiites’ leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife since 2015, defying court orders that they be granted bail. It is believed his detention is considered necessary by the Nigerian Government, but an explanation for overruling the courts judgement is necessary.