Clash Between Nigerian Soldiers, Shiites: 12 Dead,
Including Three Sons Of Zakzaky, Nursing Mother And
ChildNigerian Shiite Muslims have stated that 10 of their members


were killed by the Nigerian military earlier today as they
staged a march in Zaria, Kaduna State to express sympathy
with the plight of Palestinians in Gaza who are under constant
bombardment by Israeli troops.
The Shiites said a woman nursing a baby and two other
women were among those killed, adding that six other
members of the Islamic sect, including Mahmud Zakzaky, their
leader’s son, were also shot dead. In addition, security agents
arrested three sons of Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky, the leader of
the Shiite group. Moments ago, the spokesman of the sect
alleged that Nigerian soldiers later shot two of the three
children of Sheikh Zakzaky whom they had taken into
detention.

Ali Zakzaky sustained bullet wounds, now
receiving treatment in the hospital
Ibrahim Musa, editor of the sect’s publication, Almizan, said,
“two children of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky have been shot
dead while in custody of the soldiers that arrested them.” He
added that the sect sent an ambulance to the army barracks to
retrieve the sheik’s sons’ corpses, but the soldiers detained the
ambulance and its occupants.
If their account is true, then it brings to three the number of
Sheikh Zakzaky's children killed by Nigerian security agents in
today’s operation.

Abdulhamid Bello, a spokesman for Mr. Zakzaky, disclosed the
casualties and arrests in a statement he sent to our New York
office. He described the military attack on the procession of
Shiites as a clear abuse of power and violation of the
fundamental rights of the sect members.
Nigerian military authorities in Zaria and Abuja have issued no
reaction on today’s bloody encounter.
Three sons of El-Zakzaky murdered by Nigerian
troops during a peaceful procession in Zaria
Ahmad and Mamhud Zakzaky pictured here
during a trip abroad
Below is the official statement released by the Shiites:

WE CONDEMN THE UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON MUSLIM
BROTHERS IN ZARIA
Friday 25-07-14 is a sad day, akin to a black Friday, in which
some security agents of the federal republic of Nigeria,
soldiers by the khaki they wore, gunned down, as at the time
of writing this press release, 10 Innocent fasting Muslim
brothers, who were peacefully voicing their discontent with the
unfortunate massacre of Palestinians by Israel.

Zaria residents are a witness to the peaceful nature of the
procession which took off from Sabon Gari Jumaat mosque up
to its termination point at Kofar Doka, Zaria City. Nobody was
molested let alone his property. In fact the leader of the
procession was delivering his speech, when some soldiers
attacked the participants of the procession who were at PZ
Junction in Zaria.

In the ensuing melee, 10 people were killed by the soldiers, 40
were shot and now receiving treatment. And among the killed
is a Muslim Sister together with her child on her back and the
son of Sheikh Zakzaky, Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky. Also
among those shot by the soldiers are two Muslim sisters.
Not only that, the soldiers went away with 3 children of Sheikh
Zakzaky, namely Ahmad, Hameed and Ali. As of now their
whereabouts is still unknown.

We vehemently condemn this vicious atrocity committed by
the soldiers on us. Why should we be attacked? Who did we
provoke during the peaceful procession? Who authorized this
attack? Who participated in the attack among the soldiers?
These are some of the questions the security operatives in the
state need to answer us and the public.

Also we demand the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky's
children in soldiers’ custody and other Muslim brothers they
might be holding. And should anything happen to them, we will
hold the authorities responsible!

This is not the first peaceful procession carried out by Muslim
brothers in Zaria. In fact due to its peaceful nature residents in
Zaria don't consider it as an unusual event that calls for
caution.

Another proof of the peaceful nature of the procession is the
fact that it was staged today in Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina,
Potiskum, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, and many other towns in
Northern Nigeria and all ended peacefully. So why should the
one in Zaria be an exception? The authorities should explain.
The casualty figures might increase, God willing we will keep
the public informed of the Transgressor in Nigeria.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2014/07/25/clash-between-nigerian-soldiers-shiites-12-dead-including-three-sons-zakzaky-nursing