The leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has been arrested by soldiers after long hours’ siege on his residence in Zaria.

One of his followers confirmed his arrest to Channels Television: “I saw armoured tanks demolishing the Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of Sheikh El-Zakzaky.”

The Nigerian Army and members of the sect have accused each other of instigating attacks that led to the death of members of the movement on Saturday and Sunday morning.

While the army accuse the sect members of attempting to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, the Islamic Movement said soldiers opened fire on defenceless innocent people who were on a peaceful procession.

It was gathered from residence that heavily armed soldiers sustained a crackdown on the members of the movement throughout Saturday night till the early hours of Sunday.

Heavy shootings were heard in Gullesu and Sokoto road, where the spiritual centre of the sect is located.

The Islamic Movement claimed that over 500 of their members were killed by soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna State.

They called on the international community and human rights groups to probe the killings.

The Islamic movement has over a million members, mostly in Kaduna and Kano states.

The group blamed the Army authorities for the loss of lives in Zaria, Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria and called on the international community and human rights groups to probe the killings.

The President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, told Channels Television that the soldiers also destroyed the house of their leader, Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky, located in Gyellesu area in Zaria.

Describing the killings as unjustifiable, Musa said the soldiers had cordoned off the area and were laying siege within Zakzaky’s premises.

The Second-in-Command to the group’s leader, Sheik Muhammad Turi and the group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Usman, were said to have been shot by soldiers in front of Zakzaky’s residence on Sunday morning.

The latest development is said to have created apprehension in the ancient city, as most residents have remained indoors for fear of further violence. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

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