There is pandemonium currently at the main gate of National Assembly in Abuja as members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ites have forced their way into the assembly complex and chased away armed policemen on duty.

The protesters besieged the National Assembly in continuation of protests to commemorate the 68th birthday anniversary of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015.

Members of the movement were initially peaceful in their conduct although they were chanting anti-government songs from outside the gate.

But situation turned awry when some of them suddenly descended on the gate, shaking it vigorously until they succeeded in forcing it open, almost causing a stampede because of the crowd.

•Story and photo of Shi’ites breaking into the National Assembly courtesy of INDEPENDENT.