Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters Demanding Release of Sheikh Zakzaky in Abuja
Category: Unrest
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
02/14/2018 (Nigeria) - According to emerging social media reports on Wednesday, 14 February, police in Abuja have fired tear gas at protesters in an attempt to disperse crowds. Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Free Zakzaky Campaign Committee reportedly gathered in protest to demand the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky, a prominent Shi'a Muslim cleric who has been in custody since December 2015. The recurring protests have frequently been held in the city in recent weeks, having remained predominately peaceful. Demonstrations earlier this week rallied towards the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Maitama district.
Travellers in Abuja should avoid the affected area and limit time spent in the vicinity of the NHRC office in the immediate term due to ongoing security operations and risk of unrest. Clients are advised to monitor local media sources to remain apprised of any further planned demonstrations and should heed any directives issued by security forces and local authorities. Travellers should minimise time spent in the vicinity of all demonstrations and political gatherings in Nigeria due to the risk of exposure to potential crowd disturbances and incidental violence as well as police crowd control and dispersal operations.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
Related
News Alerts and Safety Profiles are provided strictly for informational purposes and contain the best available data at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the information in this report has not been independently verified and HTH Worldwide therefore accepts no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies in such information and any such liability is expressly denied, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made. Documents may be amended or withdrawn at any time without cause.