There is tension in Kaduna as members of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria are said to have embarked on a protest over the arrest and detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The protest rumour has forced traders and offices to hurriedly close down.

Also, Kaduna State Polytechnic which is very close to Tudun Wada, has been locked up.

Security forces were seen patrolling the entire city to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Soldiers reportedly invaded the residence of the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, in Guillesu area of Zaria on Sunday morning

An eyewitness said that the soldiers stormed the area to arrest Sheik Zakzaky and in the process, opened fire on the members who gathered at his residence.

The incident happened after security was beefed up in Zaria, Kaduna State, following a bloody clash between members of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Zaria which left three people dead and several others wounded on Saturday.

On Monday, the Shiites demanded the release of the bodies of their colleagues that were killed by soldiers during the clashes on Saturday and Sunday for proper burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

They alleged that heavily armed soldiers were still laying siege to the demolished residence of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and have also prevented them from evacuating the corpses for proper burial.

President of Media Forum of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, told Channels Television’s correspondent that the soldiers, rather than allowing them to evacuate the dead bodies, were seen loading them inside their trucks to an unknown destination.

He also said that soldiers had formed a road block near the Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic along the Kaduna – Zaria expressway and also along Zaria – Kano highway in search of their members to kill.

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows a Shiite procession.