Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed
it had a violent encounter with members of the Shiite Islamic faith, in which
the sect claimed that seven of its members were feared killed and 20 grievously
wounded in Zaria, Kaduna State.
A statement by Colonel Sani Kukasheka
Usman, Acting Director Army, Public Relations, yesterday, read: “The Shiite
sect, on the orders of their leader, Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky, today
(yesterday) afternoon in Zaria
attacked the convoy of the Chief of the Army Staff while on his way to pay
homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the passing out parade of 73 regular
recruits intake of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
“The sect members, 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 barricade was obviously a
deliberate attempt to assassinate the Chief of the Army Staff and members of
his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as Special Guest of
Honour at the passing out parade which had earlier been widely publicized.
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