Witnesses say that Nigerian soldiers killed members of the local Shi'ite movement, though the actual number of victims is unclear. Associated Press reports that some say that hundreds are dead, while others put the figure at around 20.
The incidents occurred in the northern town of Zaria, where the military claims that the group tried to stone the chief of staff's convoy in order to kill him.
The dead include Shia Islamic Movement leader Ibraheem Zakzaky's wife and two sons.