Nigerian Shiites have dismissed the claim by the Nigerian Army of an attempt by the sect to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, while on his way to Depot Nigeria Army, Zaria, to review 73 RRI Passing Out Parade this afternoon.

A member of the sect who pleaded not to be mentioned because he has no official authority to speak on the issue denied the army’s claim. He told our correspondent in Kaduna that 20 followers of the Shiite sect were feared killed and many other members, including women, arrested in a clash between the sect and the army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The said incident occured around 4:32 p.m. when the security details of the COAS clashed with Shiite members while passing through their ‘Hussainia’ (Shiite Islamic Centre) around Polo Field in Zaria.

“After the COAS passed, an army re-enforced was deployed, shooting indiscriminatelly, killing over 20 of our members, taking away some of the dead bodies and arresting many of our members including women,” the source said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Ambursa, when contacted on phone said he is on his way with Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Zaria to ascertain the extent of the clash.

“I am on my way with the governor to Zaria. Will brief you later,” he said.

Spokeperson to Governor el-Rufai, Mr Samuel Aruwan, when contacted, also said they are on their way to Zaria and would speak as soon as details of the incident were ascertained.

•Photo shows Shiite leader, Ibrahim Alzak-zaky.