Commuters on Wednesday had a hard time getting to their destination after hundreds of protesters blocked off all main roads to the civil service secretariat in the Federal capital territory, Abuja.
The protesters were rallying against the continued detention of pro-Iranian Shia leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
The leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria was arrested in 2015 in a military crackdown which led to more than 300 IMN members being killed
The crowd, which converged near Eagles Square – at the entrance to the civil service secretariat’s main building, blocked off the main roads to the secretariat, leading to a heavy traffic hold-up for motorists going into the city centre.
The protesters say they have been prevented by the police from holding their daily rally at their usual venue, Unity Fountain.
The police say they have been ordered to block the fountain, and would not allow any rally to be held there.
The military accused the group of trying to assassinate the army chief. It denied the allegation.
Massive #FreeZakzaky protest in Nigerian capital city Abuja. Thousands of Nigerians Asking the Wicked Mass Murderer Tyrant @MBuhari to obey Court order and Free Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife from more than two years illegal detention. @IntlCrimCourt @adeyanjudeji @AsoRock @Sh4Zk pic.twitter.com/SpDv8VzCxZ
— Abu-Sukaina (@real1900s) April 4, 2018
Day 77: Join us as we demand for the release of Sheik Zakzaky who has been in detention for over 800 days. pic.twitter.com/VqvWrEEfip
— Concerned Nigerians (@ConcernedNIG) April 3, 2018
