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Security beefed up after gov't forces, protesters clash in Nigerian capital
Last Updated: 2018-11-02 07:26 | Xinhua
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Women mourn their lost loved ones, who were killed during the violent clashes between members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the security forces in Abuja on Saturday, during a burial ceremony in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Oct. 31, 2018. A march for the release of the Movement's leader turned violent in Abuja when protesters pelted troops on Saturday. The riotous situation continued on Monday as government forces prevented protesters from gaining entry into Abuja. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa)

Security has been beefed up in the Nigerian capital city of Abuja following recent skirmishes between government forces and hundreds of protesters.

Heavily armed security operatives were seen manning the major roads in the city center, as well as entry and exit routes of Abuja on Thursday, including the road leading to the national parliament and the government secretariat.

Some siren-blaring police vehicles patrolled parts of the capital city to ensure normalcy and free movement of people and goods.

Patrol vehicles of the police were placed in some strategic areas and places where protests were held since last weekend.

A march for the release of a religious leader turned violent in Abuja when protesters pelted troops Saturday. The riotous situation disrupted activities in the outskirts of Abuja for several hours.

The army confirmed three protesters were shot dead during that fracas. Other sources, however, said up to six protesters were killed and many others wounded.

The riotous situation continued on Monday as government forces prevented protesters from gaining entry into Abuja. Road users spent several hours in traffic as protesters and security operatives clashed again Monday evening near highbrow Asokoro, where the presidential palace is located.

The Nigerian army confirmed three more protesters were killed after the clash on Monday.

On Tuesday, a police patrol car was burned as protesters clashed with police in the central business district of Abuja.

The Shi'ites, also known as members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, had embarked on the protest to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was arrested and kept in secret police custody since December 2015, after some of his followers clashed with soldiers in the northern state of Kaduna.

In 2016, a public inquiry report by the state government of Kaduna revealed that 347 Shi'ites were killed when they clashed with the army.

Responding to the recent clashes, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the minister of the Federal Capital Territory to take charge of the situation by constituting a security council to manage the situation.

Nigeria's police chief Ibrahim Idris said 400 protesters have been arrested so far.

"You know that when we make arrests, the next thing is to take them before the law courts," Idris said.

Protesters have vowed not to stop taking to the streets until their religious leader is released from detention.

In a telephone interview with Xinhua, Abdullahi Musa, a spokesman for the Shi'ites, alleged that 40 protesters were killed during the clashes with government forces between Saturday and Tuesday.

According to Musa, 21 protesters were buried on Wednesday.

"Twelve other bodies are with the army. We have started recovering some other bodies in parts of Abuja," he said.

The spokesman also alleged that 1,000 of their members were missing following the clashes with government forces.

(Editor:王苏)

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Security beefed up after gov't forces, protesters clash in Nigerian capital
Source:Xinhua | 2018-11-02 07:26
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