Abuja, Nigeria - Shiites protesting the detention of their spiritual head, Shekh Ibrahim El-zakzaky, have clashed with the police and and hundreds of protesters have been allegedly killed by security forces and many more have been taken into custody.
The protesters are calling for the release of their leader who has been in police detention since 2016, despite court rulings ordering his release.
In the violence that flared up, a Deputy Superintendent of Police was allegedly killed by the protesters and a corps member serving with Nigeria's foremost broadcaster, Channels TV, was hit by stray bullet and rushed to the hospital. She was pronounced dead on arrival.
Nigerians have taken to Twitter to denounce the government's crack down on the Shiites. Calls have been made for the unconditional release of the detained Sheikh and his wife.