KADUNA— ELEVEN people are still missing, one year after personnel of the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly called Shi’ites clashed, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Community leader of Dogon Bauchi, Sabon Gari area of Zaria, Alhaji Sule Nashakyaa, made the disclosure yesterday, at a memorial gathering, for those who lost their lives in the bloody clash.

He gave identities of the missing persons as Obaze Alexander, a popular trader in the community; Yusuf Idris, a teacher; Evangelist Ebijie Idogen and members of his family; Momoh Salatu and Linda Juliet, a trader.

Others according to him, were : Ladidi Amos and Jim Aminu, a popular farmer in the area; Sani Ahmed, a carpenter; Ali Sambo, a farmer; Tanko Mohammed and his son, Musa Mohammed.

He said: “ As we remember the unfortunate incident today, where many of our people were killed and several others still missing, our hearts are heavy. We call on the State and Federal Government to expedite action at locating these missing persons, in order to ascertain whether they are still alive or dead because their families are in pains, having been waiting endlessly to see their loved ones.”

Recall that the Islamic group alleged to have been a security threat in the state, was having a procession to usher in the annual Islamic month of Maulud (birth month of Prophet Mohammed), which also preceded recruitment of new members, when they ran into the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai. This resulted in a bloody clash, as the Army saw the affront as an attack, on its Chief.

At the end of the duel, the Army said seven members of the group were killed but the group claimed it lost over 1000 members, including those allegedly killed next day by soldiers who demolished residence of the group’s head, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, while effecting his arrest. As at time of writing this report, the group leader is still in detention.

The Islamic group has remained a security threat to Zaria and Kaduna. During the confrontation, there were also atrocities committed by the Islamic movement which involved loss of lives, because of the big picture of the confrontation that undermined security forces.

Director of Information for the Nigerian Army, Brig. General Sani Usman , had explained that “The sect, numbering hundreds and carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and they started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects”.

The Army, also made a formal complaint to the National Human Rights Commission, on December 14, 2015, alleging an attack on the COAS, consequent upon which a special investigation panel was set up by the commission to investigate the matter.