Cars are being turned away from one of the main roads in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, after reports that a protest by a Shia group has turned violent.

An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that soldiers have shot at the protesters and local media are reporting that there have been casualties.

The protest comes a day after the army confirmed that soldiers shot dead three members of the group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Zuba, on the outskirts of the capital.

They are demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim el-Zakzaky who has been in military detention for almost two years.

The local branch of Amnesty International is tweeting about the army action.