Photo emerges showing wounded Nigerian Shiite leader, El-Zakzaky in army custody

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Two days after the Nigeria Army clashed with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a picture allegedly showing the leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, after his arrest has emerged.

The picture, posted on social medial platform, Twitter by a user ZAHRADEEN A. AHMAD via @ZahradeenAAhmad, showed an injured El-Zakzaky sitting on the ground with a soldier standing behind him.

The Shiite leader had been found in hiding at a residence in Zaria on Monday, according to Sahara Reporters. The online news platform reported that El-Zakzaky had escaped into hiding after sustaining injuries in the clash between his sect and the army.

The report quoted a military source as saying that the injuries sustained by El-Zakzaky, who was found in a bunker-like location near his residence, were not life threatening.

The clash on Saturday and Sunday between the army and the movement was said to have been premeditated by members of the sect, who allegedly attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The army said Buratai was attacked on his way to attend the passing-out parade of the solders at the 73 Regular Recruitment of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria.

The AFP had quoted the IMN spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, as saying on Sunday morning that El-Zakzaky had sustained gunshot wounds after soldiers opened fire on his house and his followers who tried to protect it.

Sayyid, one of El-Zakzaky’s sons; the sect’s deputy leader, Sheikh Turi Mohammed, and the spokesman were, however, reportedly killed later on Sunday.

The General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigeria Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, had on Monday, while defending the army’s action, however, said El-Zakzaky was unhurt and that the sect leader and his wife were in protective custody.

Source: Punch