Heavily armed security personnel yesterday surrounded the federal secretariat and its environs over protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, who were demanding the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The federal secretariat, which has been a beehive of activity for civil servants, became a ghost town as security personnel diverted vehicle owners and those selling around the area to vacate.

The group, numbering over 100 who were mainly youths and adults, protested along the federal secretariat complex chanting “Free El-Zakzaky”, while disrupting the free flow of traffic in the area.

The protest, though peaceful, witnessed the heavy presence of soldiers, policemen and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
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