The ripples generated by the alleged attempted assassination of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has refused to die down as the Nigeria Army has reportedly arrested the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim Elzakzaky.
According to online news portal, Premium Times, the siege which has not been confirmed by military authorities claimed the life of another leader of the group, Muhammadu Turi and the head of the sect’s medical team, Mustapha Saidu.
Also, as many as 20 members of the Shi’a group reportedly lost their lives in the siege by the army.
The siege by the army reportedly led to confusion and heightened tensions in the area, with youths going on rampage to protest what they called an unprovoked attack on them.
The protesters were said to have combed the entire Kano metropolis and its suburbs, with some of them passing through the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The protests lasted from late Saturday evening to the wee hours of Sunday morning, witnesses said.
According to eyewitnesses, the army offensive was carried out with tanks, with reports of heavy shooting and explosions heard in areas such as Gellesu and Sokoto Road.
Many of the protesters, who accused the army personnel of unwarranted aggression, threatened to fight with the last drop of their blood, The Cable reported.