BREAKING: Tension as soldiers confront Shiites in Kaduna

There is some tension in Kaduna as reports have emerged that troops from the Nigerian army have surrounded a gathering of Shi’a Muslims in Kaduna, with worshipers trapped inside on Tuesday, October 11. This is coming days after the Kaduna state government declared the Shi’a sect illegal. The UK-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), said in a statement that the encircled worshipers were gathered to commemorate historical events associated with the Islamic month of Muharram that are particularly significant in the Shi’a calendar. The group also said: “Shortly before the Kaduna Markaz mosque on Zango Road was encircled by armoured military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers and also an ambulance were among a convoy of 18 military vehicles seen nearby.” The group then called on the federal government to withdraw the soldiers and allow the worshipers to continue their worship. However, according to a Premium Times source the standoff was happening at the residence of Muhtar Sahabi, who is a senior Shi’a leader. The eyewitness source also said that dozens of armed soldiers and mobile police officers surrounded the compound and were waiting for those gathered inside to leave. “It appears they want to make arrests following the recent ban,” the source said, stating that some women and children who started coming out were sent back by the soldiers.Shiites have been under pressure, since the Kaduna state government declared the movement illegal in the state on Friday, October 7. Kaduna state government kicked off the war on Shiite Muslims in the state with the ordering of the arrest of one of the leaders of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).