By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shiites, staged a protest in Kaduna on Friday, disrupting traffic and commercial activities in parts of the city. The procession took place between about 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. around the Kaduna Central Market area and along Ahmadu Bello Way, a busy commercial corridor. Eyewitnesses said the protesters, many dressed in black, marched through major streets carrying banners and portraits linked to Iranian figures as well as images of IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
Vehicular movement and business operations were temporarily affected as the demonstrators occupied parts of the road. Shops in some sections of the market reportedly closed during the procession. Security personnel, including police and other operatives, were deployed along the route to monitor the situation and maintain order.
According to observations by journalists at the scene, the group entered Ahmadu Bello Way from the Katsina Road roundabout and moved toward the Central Market area before proceeding through Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Lagos Street and Kano Road toward the Tudun Wada axis.
Witnesses said the march briefly paused at the Kano Road–Buhari Street junction before continuing.Some residents said the procession coincided with the last Friday of Ramadan, when members of the movement traditionally hold demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine. There was no immediate official statement from authorities or the organisers at the time of filing this report.
