KADUNA: Nigeria's Muslim Shiite movement says Nigerian troops have killed hundreds of its members in a northern town, but other reports put the number of dead at about 20.

The killings happened this weekend in Zaria, a town in which, according to the military, the Muslim group tried to kill Nigeria's army chief by stoning his convoy.

The dead from the military raids included the wife and two sons of the Shia Islamic Movement leader, Ibraheem Zakzaky.

Witness Ojo Momodu said the Shiites barricaded a main road with burning tires as Gen. Tukur Buratai approached on Saturday and then pelted his convoy with stones.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman called it "a deliberate attempt to assassinate" the general.

The movement's spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said the military retaliated with "indiscriminate killing."