Nigerian troops arrested the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, after committing a massacre against people attending a religious ceremony in Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah in the northern city of Zaria.
Sources Insiders the Islamic group told elombah.com that Zakzaky’s wife, Malama Zeenat; his son, Sayyid Aliyu, and over 300 members of the Shi’ite, including senior members, were killed by the soldiers.
Hussayniyyah massacre committed by Nigeria forces in Zaria cityLocal sources said dozens of people were martyred and injured when Nigerian forces attacked the Hussayniyah, where Muslim Shia were marking Imam Reza’s martyrdom anniversary.
Among those killed was al-Zakzaky’s deputy, Mohamamd Touri, the sources said.
The forces then raided the house of al-Zakzaky and arrested him, killing his wife and his son, according to the sources.
The house of al-Zakzaky as well as the Hussayniyyah was damaged by the Nigerian forces.
Ibrahim Usman, spokesman of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, told elombah.com that after besieging the Husainiyah Baqiyyatullah Centre of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky by the combat ready Nigerians Soldiers with their armored vehicles.
Usman also said the team of Nigerian Soldiers Furiously opened fire with light ammunition on members of the Islamic movement in Nigeria under the leader ship of Sayyeed Ibrahim Zakzaky at the Islamic Movement’s Centre Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah along Polo Ground PZ Zaria, According to the source the Centre was under siege by Nigerian Army
The Soldiers opened fire for several hours on the supporters of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, 3 people have been confirmed killed while several were injured.
However, in a statement, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usmansaid the incident involving clashes between detachments of the Nigerian Army, accompanying the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General TY Buratai and followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El Zak-Zaky, suspected to be members of the Shiite Sect in Zaria was most unfortunate.
The acting Director Army Public Relations told elombah.com that the incident led 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, and said:
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the rights of any group of persons and Sheikh El Zak Zaky’s followers to hold a peaceful march or procession unhindered, but it also guarantees other people’s rights of way 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.
“This is simply because they insist on using 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.
“In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police.
The Pictures below show the actions of the soldiers on the defenseless people and those killed.
Others killed by the troops, according to the president of Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, in the over 24-hour long raid, included the leader of the Kano Centre and Zakzaky’s deputy, Sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Turi; the movement’s medical director, Dr Mustapha Sa’eed; the spokesman of the group, Malam Ibrahim Usman, and a top female leader of the group, Jummai Gilima.
The late Mahmud Turi was a columnist with LEADERSHIP newspapers and wrote every Friday.
The private house of Sheikh Zakzaky as well as the sect’s headquarters along Sokoto road, Zaria, was also demolished and razed by the army troops in a counter-attack said to have been ignited by the alleged blockade of the route of the chief of army staff, Major General Tukur Buratai.
According to sources at the scene of the bloody clash, the killings took place at three different locations: the residence of the revered leader of the Movement at Gyallesu; the Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA, and the Darur Rahma located along Zaria-Jos road where many unarmed people were killed.
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