The Islamic Movement of Nigeria [IMN] said on Wednesday that security forces killed 42 of its members during two days of violent crackdowns on protests in Abuja.

IMN members, also known as Shiites, had stormed FCT streets to protest the continued incarceration of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been in custody since his arrest in 2015.

Security forces opened fire with live ammunition on the protesters.

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The IMN raised its death toll on Wednesday from the two previous days’ violence to 42 from an earlier figure of 25. The toll included seven people who died of injuries received on Tuesday and 35 killed the previous day, said Ibrahim Musa, an IMN spokesman.

On Wednesday evening, 20 bodies lay shrouded in white, awaiting burial in the town of Mararaba.

“I, as a Shi’ite today, I’m carrying my death certificate,” said Muhammed Ibrahim Gamawa, an IMN youth leader, at the burial site.

“Under Buhari’s government any Shia in Nigeria is under threat and can be gunned down any day, any time, any minute,” he said, referring to Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari.

“We are not safe, we are an endangered species in Nigeria.”

A few hours earlier, in a bustling commercial area of Abuja, dozens of IMN members staged a short march. Security forces were absent.

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“We are ready to die for our Zakzaky!” and “Free Sheikh Zakzaky!” the marchers chanted.

“Death to Buhari! Death to America! Death to U.K!” they also cried. 

REUTERS