Ahmed, Humaid and Mahmood, three sons of Nigeria’s Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzakky, were feared killed when Shiites engaged the Nigerian Army in a showdown late yesterday in Zaria, Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.

A close Shiite source who spoke with News Express late last night put the death toll at 12, with over 40 injured.

“We received information now that three children of Mallam El-Zakzakky, namely, Ahmed, Humaid and Mahmood, who were in the procession, are among the 12 people that have been killed by the soldiers in Zaria,” the source said.

News Express learnt that the incident occurred around Water Board Round About in the PZ area of Zaria, a town known for the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

“I can’t really ascertain what happened, but I saw five unidentified corpses taken away from the scene,” one Shiite source said.

Another eyewitness said the incident occurred when military personnel tried to force their way inside Shiite followers who were carrying out a procession (Muzahara) against the current killings in Palestine in the war between Israel and Hamas.

“Mahmood, one of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzakky’s sons, is shot and the second son Ahmed was arrested and taken away by the security. Mahmood is, however, not dead,” the source, Musa Ali, said.

“The clash is still ongoing as I speak to you. The army has continued with shooting right now and residences and shops around the area have been closed as people scamper for safety,” he added.

When contacted, the spokesperson of 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Usman Abdullahi, said he would call back after confirming details.

Calls and texts messages later sent to him were however not responded to as at the time of filling this report.

•Photo shows Nigeria’s Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzakky.