THERE was pandemonium in Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday, as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, otherwise known as Shiites, clashed with soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, leaving an unspecified number of people dead and others injured.
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Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations said that some suspected members of a religious group attempted an attack on the convoy of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. It described an “unprovoked siege” on its headquarters by troops and called the assassination claim an afterthought and a “blatant lie”.
The sporadic killings took place at three different locations that include the residence of the reverred leader of the Movement at Gyallesu, the Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA and the Darur Rahma located along Zaria-Jos road where many armless people were killed.
But unfortunately, while the Islamic cleric was said to have escaped before the arrival of the soldiers, the two men were unlucky.
Reports added that the holy shrine of the sect was also demolished with about 20 people killed.
In a reaction by the Army, the spokesman Colonel SK Usman, disclosed that the COAS had gone to the Emir’s palace to pay homage on the royal father and as the convoy was moving towards to military depot, the COAS vehicle was attacked by members of Shiite.
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. “But we have taken the matter to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action because we can not allow such unlawful acts to continue”, he stated.
However, the leader of the movement, Zakzaky, denied the claim, saying “it was soldiers who opened fire on his members for no just cause”.
Buratai was said to be on his way for an official assignment when he was allegedly attacked. “This is in line with the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct”, Usman said.
They were shot dead in Zaria town in the ongoing clash between military and members of the sect.
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He said the situation was calm and security had been beefed up in Zaria.
