Scores feared dead as Shiites, military clash in Kaduna

A clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and a truckload of soldiers have reportedly left scores of people dead and many other injured on Saturday December 12.

The military, according to the Army spokesperson, Colonel Sani Usman, said the clash resulted from an assassination attempt on the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

It was learnt that Lt.-Gen. Buratai was in Zaria for the Passing Out Parade of the 73rd Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) at the Nigerian Army depot, Zaria.

Trouble reportedly started when the Shi’ites, who had blocked the Samaru-PZ road in self-defense, apparently following a clash yesterday with members of the Darika sect in Gatsari area of Zaria, were directed by soldiers to leave the highway. But they refused.

An attempt to clear the sect members’ road blockade reportedly led to the use of force by the soldiers.

The Nigerian Army, however, described the incident as an attempted assassination on Buratai.

The shiite members however denied the claim saying that soldiers attacked and opened fire on its procession.

The Nigerian Army, however, described the incident as an attempted assassination on Buratai.

The shiite members however denied the claim saying that soldiers attacked and opened fire on its procession.

“Soldiers in Nigerian Army Uniforms attacked Husainiyyah Baqiyattullah this afternoon and opened fire with life ammunition on beare (sic) handed brothers and sisters, killing and wounding many. They have also layed (sic) siege to it, with armored vehicles and soldiers”.

However, residents of the area, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, said a truckload of soldiers came to the Husainiya area and surrounded it and “all of a sudden we heard gun shots and many people died”.

“The soldiers are still there and they have evacuated some of the corpses while others were taken by the site members” the witness said.

“The soldiers have killed many people here, possibly up to 20,” another witness said.

“The leader of the sect, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is leaving his home to where the soldiers are. He is saying he does not care if he is killed too.”

There has been a history of violence between members of the movement and the military.

A similar clash last year led to the death of many members, including the sons of the movement’s leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky.