Army says Shiite leader’s wife is alive

The Nigerian Army has debunked claims that its men killed the wife of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky, the leader of Shiite Muslims in Nigeria.

According to Sahara Reporters, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, in a press conference said Zeenatudeen, the wife of the sect leader, is alive.

This is coming on the heels of Femi Fani Kayode’s condemnation of the alleged killing of 20 sect members by the Army.

Members of the Shiite sect on Sunday, December 13, 2015, also staged a street protest condemning the killing of their members.

Reports say over 20 members of the sect were killed during a raid by the Army.

The clash between the Nigerian Army and the sect was caused by an alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, by Shiite members.

The spokesperson of the sect, Ibrahim Musa also accused the Federal Government of planning to eliminate the Shiite movement in Nigeria.

Read: How I was almost killed in Zaria - Army Chief recounts ordeal

The leader of the Shiite Muslims in Nigeria has denied allegations, saying that his members did not try to assassinate Buratai.

Reports also say the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Shehu said the sect did not obtain a police permit before embarking on their procession.

See Pulse Gallery below.