Metro

Five Feared Killed As Military Clashes With Shi’ite Protesters In Abuja

Published

4 months ago

March 28, 2025

A deadly confrontation erupted in Abuja on Friday when security forces opened fire on Shi’ite protesters during an International Quds Day procession, resulting in at least five deaths and numerous injuries.

The clash occurred near Banex Plaza in Wuse 2, where thousands of members of the Islamic Movement had gathered to mark the last Friday of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians.

Military forces, using armoured vehicles and firing indiscriminately, blocked the procession route after Jummah prayers.

A senior member of the Muslim sect, who spoke to Vanguard in confidence, described the events.

He said, “Today is International Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan. We always show solidarity with Palestine on this occasion. This morning, we saw a memo from the National Security Adviser instructing security forces to act.

“We initially planned to gather at the National Mosque, but it was occupied. To avoid confrontation, we moved towards the Customs Office, but security forces blocked us near Wuse Market. We proceeded towards Banex Plaza, where no security presence was observed.”

‘The situation escalated quickly’

“Thousands had gathered from across the country. After Jummah prayers, we began our procession. As we passed Banner Junction, the military started shooting. Only the military were present—there were no police officers.

“They brought an armoured vehicle, blocked the road, and fired indiscriminately at unarmed civilians, including women and children. So far, five people are confirmed dead, many are injured, and security forces have detained several others. An eyewitness saw a Hilux van carrying a body. We are relocating to safety.”

The Shi’ite leader suggested a government directive was behind the crackdown.

According to him, “We saw the memo but have not confirmed its authenticity. The version we received was stamped, signed, and secretly sent to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Security agencies nationwide received it, particularly in areas where processions were expected. Yet, only Abuja witnessed violence.”

‘Call for Accountability’

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“This was the military. The leadership must explain why this happened. Two weeks ago, the Foreign Affairs Minister supported Palestinian freedom at a Muslim congress in Saudi Arabia. Every human being should stand for Palestinian rights, yet here, people are attacked for doing the same. More details will follow,” the source added.

The violence disrupted commercial activity at Banex Plaza. Social media initially reported one death before the IMN confirmed five.

Another eyewitness, Terlula Michael, an engineer who works at Banex Plaza, provided a different perspective.

“I saw protesters throwing stones at civilian vehicles—how is that peaceful?” he queried.

The U.S. Embassy had warned of potential unrest linked to IMN demonstrations, but as of press time, neither the military nor the government had issued a statement on the fatal clash.

Related Topics:#Abuja Military protesters Shiite

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Metro

‘I Found Out That My Husband Was Not Single; He Threatened Me With Gun, Cutlass’

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

A woman, Romoke, has dragged her husband, Oluferanmi, before Grade A Customary Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, on the account of deceit, lack of care for her and their children and refusal by the husband to allow the wife to work.

Romoke said that Oluferanmi told her when they were courting that he had a child but that she agreed to his marriage proposal despite this.

The plaintiff stated that she moved in with the defendant only to discover that he already had a wife and children.

Romoke further added that Oluferanmi was mean and that he always bought and fed the whole family, which was large with only a bag of rice in a year.

She further said that her husband was indifferent to their children’s education.

According to her, he relunctantly paid N15,000 out of N48,000, which was their eldest child school fees.

Romoke, who accused her husband of violence, lamented that he did not allow her to work.

According to Romoke, Oluferanmi threatened her with a gun after he demanded that she left her job, and she refused.

The plaintiff told the court that she moved out of the defendant’s house after he almost cut off her head with a cutlass.

Romoke, in addition to divorce, begged the court for their children’s custody.

The plaintiff further requested an order restraining the defendant from threatening and interfering with her private life.

Oluferanmi refused to make an appearance in court despite being served court summonses.

Romoke, in her evidence, said, “My husband and I met in 2011, and we held an introduction ceremony after which I moved in with him.

“My husband is deceitful. He lied to me that he had a child before we got married, but I was surprise to know that he already has a wife who bore him many children.

“My husband did not care for me and our children.

“Despite being aware that his is a large family, he would buy only one bag of rice in a year for the family’s consumption.

“He also gave us all only N1,000 per day for food

“My husband is negligent of our children’s education.

“He paid N15,000 out of N48,000, which was our child’s school fees.

“He is cruel and insisted that I stop working. He threatened me with a gun when I refused.

“My husband later took to raining curses on me and our children on a daily basis.

“This invariably affected the performance of our eldest child academically.

“His first wife and her children also made life unbearable for me, and my children.

“I would have lost one of my children, but for the timely intervention of our neighbours who came to his rescue when one of my rival’s children attempted to throw her in a well.

“I moved out of my husband’s house after he almost cut off my head with a machete during a misunderstanding.

“I am no longer interested in my marriage to my husband.

“I pray that this honourable court dissolve our union and grant me custody of our children because he cares less about them.

“I further appeal that the court mandates him to be responsible for their upkeep, making feeding, education and health care a priority.

“I also request an order restricting him from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

Ruling, the president of the court, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend himself but that he failed to make use of these.

Owoseni therefore dissolved their union and granted the plaintiff custody of their children while the defendant was mandated to be responsible for their upkeep.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

My Wife Crushed My Scrotum, Arrested Me With The Police —Husband

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

He attempted to strangle me —Wife

Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Ayodeji and Bidemi as a result of the display of irresponsibility and lack of love by the latter, and an attempt to usurp the former’s position in the home.

The plaintiff stated that the defendant lacked the attributes of a virtuous woman.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant had no regard for him, and refused that he had peace of mind.

He also said that she abandoned all her responsibilities in the home.

Ayodeji further stated that Bidemi refused to take instructions from him and never ceased to fight him.

The plaintiff recounted how the defendant once crushed his scrotums during a fight, while her brother beat him blue and black for an offence he never committed.

Ayodeji also told the court that Bidemi once arrested him with the police under a false claim.

The plaintiff said he had had enough of his wife atrocities and thus prayed for divorce.

He pleaded for their children’s custody and also requested an order restraining his wife from, harassing, threatening and interfering with his private life.

Bidemi denied all the allegations brought against her but agreed to divorce.

The defendant refused that the plaintiff had custody of their children.

Bidemi explained that the plaintiff refused to give her and their children feeding allowance, adding that he beat her at every given opportunity.

According to the defendant, the last time they fought, he attempted to strangle her.

Ayodeji in his testimony said, “My wife and I held introduction ceremony after we courted and I prayed her bride price.

“I have known no peace since I got married to my wife.

“Bidemi has failed to add value to me, all she does is to fight me. and turn the whole house upside down.

“My wife displays no virtue. She has failed to be a good example to our children.

“She abandoned her responsibilities in the home and turned the whole house upside down.

“Bidemi has no regard for me. She is defiant and always insisted on having her way.

“All that she planned to do was to usurp my position in the home.

“My wife almost killed me when she crushed my scrotum during a fight.

“She arrested me with the police under a false claim and I was detained.

“Her brother is not better. He came to my house to beat me and almost snuffed life out of me.

“My lord, Bidemi has made my life miserable enough. I no longer want her under my roof.

“I pray this honourable court to end our relationship and grant me custody of our children because she is not a good example to them.

“I also request an order restraining her from harassing, threatening and interfering with my private life.”

Bidemi, responding, said, “My lord, my husband lied that he paid my bride price.

“He daily failed in his responsibility towards me and our children.

“He hardly gave us feeding allowance; all that he knew how to do was to beat me.

“Our family members had mediated in our crises on several occasions, but he refused to change.

“The last time we fought, he attempted to strangle me.

“My lord, I give my consent to the dissolution of our marriage, but I disagree that my husband had custody of our children.

“I further appeal to the court to make him responsible for their feeding, education and health care.”

The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving her judgment, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was held between the duo and no bride price was paid.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Court Orders Man To Pay N36,000 As Child’s Upkeep

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

A vulcanizer, Kabir Yusuf, has dragged his former wife, Shafautu Zakari, before a Sharia Court sitting in Majin Garri, Kaduna State, seeking custody of his two-year-old son.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kabir told the court that his former wife leaves their little boy with his grandmother in the market and goes about her daily activities

“I don’t like the way she is training my son. I am praying the court grant me his custody,“ he said.

The defendant, Shafaatu, who sells provisions in Karuwan Bacci, Kaduna, denied the allegation.

“We live around the market area and the boy stays with his brothers at home whenever I am away.

“He only goes to my mother’s shop in the evening with his brothers to carry goods back home when she closes for the day,” she said.

She alleged that Kabir swore that he would not take care of the boy since she dragged him to court and got their son’s custody.

The judge, Murtala Nasir, after listening to both parties, ordered the complainant to pay N36,000 for the upkeep of the little boy.

He also ordered that the boy remain with his mother for the next three years.