Filipinos in Nigeria told to stay indoors as violence ensues

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised the more than 100 Filipinos in Abuja, Nigeria to stay indoors due to violent clashes between police and members of the Shiite Muslim movement.

Nigerian troops have shot and killed at least 27 protesting members of the Islamic movement during a procession to the country's capital.

The DFA called on members of the Filipino community in the African country to remain vigilant and exercise caution in the situation. This includes the 3,000 Filipinos in Lagos, the country's largest city.

"Ambassador to Nigeria Shirley Ho-Vicario said the Embassy is in touch with Filipino Community leaders and that no Filipinos have so far been reported to be among the dead and wounded," DFA spokesperson Elmer Cato said.

Islamic Movement of Nigeria spokesman Ibrahim Musa said six people were killed on Saturday and another 21 on Monday.

Nigeria's military said it killed six people and that the Shiite protesters fired first at soldiers.

Musa said Tuesday that many members were taking part in a religious procession, which coincided with a protest calling for the release of their movement's pro-Iran leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky.

Zakzaky has been jailed since December 2015, when the military killed hundreds in a major attack on Shiites in the northern Nigerian city of Zaria.

Nigerian Muslims are predominantly Sunnis. The Shiite Muslim minorities say they suffer religious persecution. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with Associated Press