Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiite, have claimed that at least 500 of their colleagues have allegedly been killed by soldiers.

The group blamed the Army authorities for the loss of lives in Zaria, Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria and called on the international community and human rights groups to probe the killings.

The President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, told Channels Television that the soldiers also destroyed the house of their leader, Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky, located in Gyellesu area in Zaria.

Describing the killings as unjustifiable, Musa said the soldiers had cordoned off the area and were laying siege within Zakzaky’s premises.

The Second-in-Command to the group’s leader, Sheik Muhammad Turi and the group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Usman, were said to have been shot by soldiers in front of Zakzaky’s residence on Sunday morning.

The latest development is said to have created apprehension in the ancient city, as most residents have remained indoors for fear of further violence.