Nigerian Troops have evacuated the bodies of Shiite Muslims killed in two days of clashes with the army in northern Zaria, home base of the pro-Iranian group, its spokesman and residents said. The army carried out crackdowns on Saturday and early Sunday against the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and have arrested its leader Ibrahim Zakzaky.
The IMN, which seeks to establish an Islamic state through an Iranian-styled revolution, has been at loggerheads with Nigeria’s secular authorities, leading to occasionally violent confrontations. Zakzaky has periodically been incarcerated for alleged incitement and subversion. Northern Nigeria is majority Muslim and largely Sunni.
Musa said the victims of the fighting included his wife, son and the former IMN spokesman.
He said soldiers had mounted security checks as residents and motorists were being searched before entering the area. The latest violence was sparked when Shiite faithful on Saturday blocked the main road outside their Husseiniyya religious centre, where hundreds had gathered for a ceremony.
The military claimed the Shiites attacked the convoy of the army chief, Yusuf Buratai, which left soldiers no option but to retaliate. The group however denied the claim.
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