The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised members of the Filipino community in Nigeria to remain vigilant as violent clashes between police and protesting members of the Islamic Movement continue on its second day on Tuesday.
A statement released by the DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Abuja has informed the DFA Home Office that it has called on the more than a hundred Filipinos in the capital to remain indoors in view of the violence.
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 or wounded.
The DFA cited reports showing that the number of protesters killed has risen to 18.
This after security forces were reported to have opened fire at Shi’a protestors demanding the release from detention of their leader.
Vicario said the embassy has also told the 3,000 members of the Filipino community in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, to exercise caution. /ee