Supporters of an imprisoned Shiite cleric on Wednesday said they had begun burying dozens of people they say were killed in clashes with the Nigerian security forces.
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) said 49 of its members lost their lives since Saturday, contrasting the military’s official death toll of six.
The army and police fired live bullets at crowds who marched near and in the capital, Abuja, protesting for the release of IMN leader Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been in custody since 2015.
In Mararaba village, in Nasarawa state just over the border from the Federal Capital Territory, mourners gathered in preparation for the burial of 20 victims.
AFP reporters counted the white-shrouded bodies, as IMN members and tearful family members of the deceased gathered to pay their final respects.
“These are the victims the Nigerian Army attacked on Monday at Kugbo security check point on our way to Abuja,” said IMN member Abdullahi Mohammad Musa.
The group’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, said separately that another burial for six people was held in the northern city of Zaria.
“We are feeling bad, we are feeling wronged, we are oppressed,” he added.
