Nigerian troops have arrested the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim Elzakzaky, following a siege on his Zaria residence.

It was gathered that the Nigerian troops sustained a crackdown on the members of the sect throughout the night as heavy shootings and sounds of explosions were heard in Gellesu and Sokoto Road, where Hussainiyya – the spiritual centre of the sect – is located.

During the siege, the deputy leader of the group, Muhammadu Turi, and the head of the medical team of the sect, Mustapha Saidu, alongside several others were reportedly killed.

The Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of the leader of the sect was also reported to have been demolished by the army using armoured tanks.

Trouble started yesterday when members of the sect reportedly attempted to assassinate Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, the army said.

The Islamic movement however denied the army’s claim stating that soldiers simply decided to attack “defenseless people”.

The army is yet to release a statement on the arrest and siege laid on the sect leader’s residence.