Just less than 24-hour after the attempted assassination of
chief of army staff,Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Nigerian troops have
arrested the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a group
propagating the spread of Shi’ite Islam in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky,
following a raid at his Zaria residence.
According to Premium Times, a top leader of the group,
Muhammadu Turi, has disclosed that head of the medical team of the sect,
Mustapha Saidu and several others were killed during the operation.
It was learnt that the Nigerian army and members of the sect had been
trading blames on who first fired the first shot that led to the death
of members of the sect on Saturday, December 12.
On the part of the army, the Shi’ite followers allegedly made attempt
on the life of Buratai, an allegation that has been reportedly
dismissed by the sect stating that the troops actually decided to attack
‘defenseless people’.
It was also learnt that soldiers that storm the residence of the
leader of the sect throughout the night as heavy shootings and sounds of
explosions were heard in the area around Sokoto road, where Hussainiyya
stayed.
People around the area explained that armoured tanks were seen
demolishing the Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of the leader of
the sect.
Also, a source at the military hospital in Chindit Barracks Depot of
the Nigerian army in Zaria said that 19 bodies were received after the
raid.
Recall that the Shiite sect on the orders of their leader, Alzak-zaky, had attacked the convoy of Buratai in Kaduna state.
According to the official statement, made by Colonel Sani Usman, the
director of army public relations, the attack took place while Buratai
was on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the
Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army
in Zaria.
