Iran summoned Nigeria’s charge d’affaires to protest over the Nigerian army’s deadly crackdown on Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah in the northern city of Zaria.

Iran summoned Nigeria's charge d'affaires to protest over the Nigerian army's deadly crackdown on Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah in the northern city of Zaria.

Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Nigerian charge d'affaires, and expressed its deep concern about the human tragedy in Nigeria, IRNA news agency reported.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also called for "immediate and serious action to prevent violence" against Shiites in a telephone call to his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama, IRNA added.

The Nigerian army committed massacre on Saturday against the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, killing dozens of faithful who were attending a religious ceremony in Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah. Early on Sunday, the army raided the house of the IMN leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, arrested him and killed several members of the group.

“Director of first bureau of Africa at Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as unacceptable and underlined responsibility of Nigerian government to protect life and household of Shia Muslims, especially Sheikh Zakzaky,” IRNA added.

The Nigerian diplomat meanwhile, said that the two countries enjoy excellent ties and that he will convey Iran's concern on the issue to his government and will deliver response from the Nigerian government, according to the Iranian agency.