‘Zakzaky and his wife are alive,’ Military spokesperson says

The Nigerian Army has said that the leader of the Shiite Muslims in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife are alive and in its custody.

This was disclosed by army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.

“I want you to understand that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and his wife, Contrary to rumours going on is alive,” Usman said.

He also spoke on the recent battle between soldiers and Shiites in Zaria, Kaduna State.

A conflict ensued between both groups on Saturday, December 12, after the Shiites allegedly attempted to kill Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

A video has been released showing that members of the group blocked a major road and refused to allow passage to Buratai’s convoy.

“We came down and pleaded with them and made them to see reason. They were burning tires, pelting stones and no amount of that could get them to do otherwise and insisted that they have done it to several other people and the Chief of Army Staff is not an exception,” Usman said.

“All these things were premeditated, they were planned. The reception party that went to SYS Dogarawa from Depot Nigerian Army passed the same place barely 20 minutes and there wasn’t anything.

“The arrival of the Chief of Army Staff was widely publicised and it was his they decided to ambush, for reasons known to them. So for anybody to think or say otherwise, it begs for more questions on that side,” he added.

The army has been accused of killing many Shiites in what the group described as an unjustified attack.

Zakzaky was arrested on Saturday after soldiers surrounded his home in apparent retaliation for the attack on Buratai.

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Listen to Zakzaky's conversation with Iran during siege of his home below: