Army reportedly kills Shiite leader’s son, wife

An operation launched by the military in a bid to fish out the alleged Shiite assassins, has reportedly left over 20 people dead, including the wife and son of the leader of the Shiite Muslims in Kaduna State, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky .

This is coming on the heels of the alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

Reports say the incident started on Saturday, December 12th, 2015 when Buratai was on his way to the swearing in ceremony of new Army recruits in Kaduna.

The Shiite Muslims, were said to have alleged blocked the road, refusing to let the Army boss and his convoy to pass.

Narrating the story, the spokesman of the Army, Colonel Sani Usman said “The sect, numbering hundreds and carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects.”

The Shiite leader denied the allegations saying “We learnt that (Buratai) was visiting…newly graduated recruits and that coincided with our day of Changing of Flags, which we do annually. We had no intention of doing anything as claimed by the soldiers.”

However, Vanguard Newspapers reports that on Sunday, December 13, 2015, military personnel raided the Shiite spiritual base, in Gyallesu and Sokoto Road.

The spokesperson of the sect, Ibrahim Musa who spoke to Vanguard said “Following alleged blockade of the route of the Chief of Army Staff by the members of the Movement, the Nigerian Army brutally descended on armless members of the Movement with heavy military weapons killing indiscriminately.”

“Also killed were Sayyid Aliy, the son of the leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky; the wife of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky, Malama Zeenat Ibraheem and tens of other members as more are being killed as at the time of this release,” Musa said.

Read: Army reportedly arrests Shiite leader, to set up probe panel

He also accused the Federal Government of planning to wipe out the sect and called on well-meaning Nigerians and the International community to come to the aid of the group.

According to History News Network, Shiites believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed.

See Pulse Gallery below.