Shiite sect accuses Army of killing 27 of its members

chika ebuzor

October 30, 2018 5:36 PM

The group's spokesman Ibrahim Musa said six people were killed on Saturday and another 21 on Monday.

Shiites demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been in custody since December 2015 despite court orders that he should be freed

Nigerias main Shiite Muslim movement says Nigerian troops shot and killed at least 27 of its members during a procession to the capital of Abuja.

Islamic Movement of Nigeria spokesman Ibrahim Musa said six people were killed on Saturday and another 21 on Monday.

Nigeria's military said it killed six people and that the Shiite protesters fired first at soldiers.

Musa said Tuesday that many members were taking part in a religious procession, which coincided with a protest calling for the release of their movement's pro-Iran leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky.

ALSO READ: Army blames Shiites again for Monday's clash

Zakzaky has been jailed since December 2015, when the military killed hundreds in a major attack on Shiites in the northern Nigerian city of Zaria.

Nigerian Muslims are predominantly Sunnis. The Shiite Muslim minorities say they are suffer religious persecution.

chika ebuzor

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