On Friday, 25 July 2014, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria held its annual International Quds Day procession in Zaria. The procession began after Friday prayers at Sabon Gari Central Mosque and concluded with closing prayers at Kofar Doka roundabout around 4:30 p.m.
As participants dispersed, soldiers confronted traffic-control volunteers near PZ roundabout and opened fire without warning. Demonstrators, bystanders, and individuals attempting to aid the wounded were shot. Among those killed were local student Ridwan Musa and Christian bystander Julius Anyanwu.
Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky's son, Mahmoud, was shot and tragically bled to death after routes to medical care were blocked. Two other sons, Ahmad and Hamid, along with their 15-year-old brother Ali, were taken into custody by soldiers while wounded. Ahmad and Hamid died before receiving necessary emergency medical care, with testimonies alleging beatings and blocked hospital transfers. An ambulance transporting the wounded was impounded by soldiers and held until 15 August 2014.
On Saturday, 26 July 2014, military vehicles arrived outside the movement's center, Husainiyyah Baqiyyatullah. Soldiers opened fire on people gathered outside, killing Haidar Muhammad Ugwado and Haruna Sufi Dograwa and injuring seven others.
A fact-finding investigation by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) recorded 34 total fatalities across the two days and estimated more than 100 injuries.