Sayyid, one of the sons of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shiite, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, the sect’s deputy leader, Sheikh Turi Mohammed; his wife, Zeenat; as well as the spokesperson for the movement, Ibrahim Usman, and two others were killed during the clash between members of the sect and the Nigerian troops.
The other two were Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed and Sister Jummai Gilima,
They were killed during a gun duel between members of the movement and troops which started on Saturday night and run into the early hours of Sunday in Zaria, Kaduna State, capital when soldiers laid siege to the Gyallesu residence of El-Zakzaky.
The attack was premeditated by members of the Shiíte, who allegedly attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, when he was on his way to attend the passing-out parade of soldiers at the 73 Regular Recruitment of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria.
Over 20 other people were injured in the clash between the followers of El-Zakzaky and soldiers.
The Shiíte men were said to have had a clash with the soldiers when they barricaded the road while the Army chief was on his way to attend the passing-out ceremony.
The Nigerian Army has said that a public inquiry will be conducted on the clash.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, who described the incident as unfortunate in a statement on Sunday, said that the activities of the sect would no longer be allowed to cause hardship to members of the public using the road.
He stressed that while it was the right of the group to hold a peaceful procession, it was also the right of the members of the public to use the road without molestation.
He said, “Yesterday’s (Saturday’s) incident, resulting in clashes between the detachment of the Nigerian Army, accompanying the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, and followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, suspected to be members of the Shiite sect in Zaria, leading to loss of lives as a result of the Shiite group members blocking roads and not allowing other passers-by to go about their lawful businesses and activities, was most unfortunate.
“The Nigerian constitution guarantees the rights of any group of persons. It gives the Sheikh El-Zakzaky’s followers the right to hold a peaceful march or procession unhindered, while it also guarantees other people’s right, including the Army’s right of passage on public highways.
“It is important to note that over the years, this group has subjected ordinary citizens using public roads to untold hardship, delays, threats and disruption, simply because they insist on using the public space irrespective of inconvenience and hardship on other law-abiding citizens and motorists.
“This cannot be tolerated and must stop! As soon as order is restored to the situation in Zaria city and its environs, the Police will conduct an enquiry and the public will be informed of its outcome. In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police.”
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