By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, (AA): A commission of enquiry into clashes between the army and Nigeria’s Shia Muslim community was suspended Monday after the Islamic Movement shunned the proceedings.

In December, violence in the northern state of Kaduna saw at least 300 of the movement’s supporters killed by troops, according to Human Rights Watch.

The movement has claimed that more than 730 members are still unaccounted for, including its leader Ibrahim Zakzaky, who was arrested with his wife following the Dec. 12 incident.

The investigating panel was adjourned for two days on Monday to determine Zakzaky’s whereabouts. The Shia had earlier refused to take part in the investigation unless Zakzaky was released unconditionally and their missing members accounted for.

“We stand by our resolve not to attend the panel which is deliberately skewed against us,” Islamic Movement spokesman Ibrahim Musa said. “Besides, they are yet to meet our conditions to appear.”

[Photo: Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. Photographer: Taj Mall/Creative-Commons]