The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has released
705 names and photographs of people it said
are its members missing since December 12
and 13, 2015, when Nigerian soldiers carried
out raids on the sect’s bases in Zaria, Kaduna
State.
The raids took place after members of the sect
barricaded a road, stopping the convoy of
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
The Army said it used force as the blockade
was an attempt on Mr. Buratai’s life.
The
Shi’a group denies attacking Mr. Buratai.
After killing a sizeable number of the sect’s
members on Saturday afternoon, the Army,
witnesses said, returned to the Hussainiyyah
base of the Shiites, as well as the resident of
group’s leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, in
Gyellesu, also in Zaria.
Altercations that followed led to the death of
more members of the group, witnesses say.
Mr. El-Zakzaky survived gunshot wounds and
was taken away by the military, alongside his
wife.
Human Rights Watch said in its report at least
300 members of the Shi’a group were killed.
The organisation also said hundreds of
victims were secretly buried by the army.
The army has not given an official figure of
deaths.
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