Controversial Sheik El-Zakzaky Arrested By Troops

SAN FRANCISCO, December 13, (THEWILL) – Soldiers have arrested the controversial leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky after a lengthy siege at his Zaria, Kaduna residence following Saturday's deadly confrontation between members of the sect and soldiers, which left at least three persons dead.

A member of the sect told local television station, Channels TV that the cleric was arrested on Sunday morning after tanks demolished his residence and the Hussainiyya shrine.

There were counterclaims between soldiers and members of the sect in the aftermath of Saturday's clash.

The army in a statement said the group attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria when members attacked the convoy of the army chief, while the sect members accused the soldiers of shooting unarmed youths without any justification during a peaceful protest.

Residents told THEWILL that they heard gunshots all night through Sunday morning around the sect's headquarters as soldiers laid siege at the compound.

Sheik Muhammad Turi and the sect's spokesman, Ibrahim Usman were reportedly killed by soldiers on Sunday morning in front of El-Zakzaky's residence during the crackdown.

THEWILL recalls that three sons of El-Zakzaky were killed by soldiers in June 2014 during a similar clash.