Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have again clashed with the Police at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday (today).

The Police fired gunshots and tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters, while five Shi’ite members were apprehended by the security operatives.

It was gathered that the confrontation sparked panic as workers, commuters and motorists fled to avoid being caught in the melee.

The sect members later regrouped at another location to continue with their protest.

They had stormed the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, during which they shot two policemen and also torched three cars and damaged many other vehicles and property.

Forty suspects were arrested in connection with the Tuesday incident.

In another development, a group of protesters stormed the Eagle Square, Abuja, throwing the area into confusion with fear-stricken workers scampering in various directions.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, who was caught in the confusion, reported that the situation obstructed traffic flow as motorists were forced to either stand still or run into one another.

NAN also reports that the protesters blocked all major routes leading into the National Assembly, with the confusion getting even worse when security threw tear gas canisters in a bid to disperse the protesters.

The cause of the protest is still uncertain, but a Police source said that the protesters were members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.