Shia Muslims protest that they have been persecuted by the Nigerian government . In 1998 Nigerian President General Sani Abacha accused Ibrahim El-Zakzaky of being a Shia . In December 2015 the Nigerian government alleged that the Islamic Movement attempted to kill Nigeria 's army chief-of-staff . In retaliation , troops killed more than 300 Shiites in the city of Zaria . Hundreds of El-Zakzaky 's followers were also arrested . As of 2019 , El-Zakzaky was still imprisoned
killed more than 300
2015 Zaria massacre
Shia–Sunni relations