Regular protests by members of the pro-Iran Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), who are demanding the release of their leader Ibraheem Zakzaky, turned violent last week.

A senior policeman and a journalist were shot dead in the chaos. The group says 20 of its supporters also died.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Several people died and a fire station was set on fire in AbujaImage caption: Several people died and a fire station was set on fire in Abuja

In a series of tweets on Sunday evening, the Nigerian presidency confirmed the ban on IMN, saying it wasn't stopping the country's Shia minority from practicing their faith, but rather wanted to discourage violence and the destruction of public property. It followed the approval of a government court order made on Friday which no representative for IMN has seen.

The ban has been labelled "a huge joke" by IMN, which added in a statement that it was consulting with lawyers.

Sheikh Zakzaky's lawyers are requesting his release so he can receive medical treatment abroad. They say he's suffered two minor strokes since being in detention, and that his vision is deteriorating.

Human rights groups have condemned the police’s violent response to the protests. A federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of Sheikh Zakzaky in 2016, but a state court has ignored the ruling.