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Tag: Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

  • Expel Amnesty International before we put on our rage – group

     

    Expel Amnesty International before we put on our rage – CSOs tell President Buhari over foreign interest to destabilize Nigeria

     

    The Concerned Citizens’ Conference on Monday marked the 4th day of its total occupation of Amnesty International Office in Abuja to demand its expulsion of the from Nigeria.

     

     

    The CSOs vowed not to stop until the international organization leaves the country.

     

    According to the group, some foreign agencies were plotting to destabilize the country.

     

     

    Danelsi Momoh, National Secretary, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, saod Amnesty International took it upon itself to be the face of some agents of destabilization at it has continually issued statements and tweeted support for the organizers of #RevolutionNow Movement.

    He called on President Buhari to expel Amnesty International NOW or they would be forced to turn our rage against the NGO.

     

    His speech below.

     

    Dear compatriots, in recent days Nigeria has been confronted with a new brand of terrorism that is being packaged as activism. This cover of activism has been stretched to bestow a toga of respectability to terrorist organizations like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN); we believe that Boko Haram elements, bandits and killer herdsmen are part of the protests being planned by this alliance or rebranded terrorists working with a bitter opposition.

    Amnesty International took it upon itself to be the face of these terrorists. It has continually issued statements and tweeted support for the organizers of #RevolutionNow Movement even when it is apparent that their protest is an amalgam of organizations that have been properly proscribed as terrorist organizations or members of the opposition.

    Since we began this protest to occupy Amnesty International’s office here in Abuja, we have taken time to investigate the social media handles of the officials of the NGO. We did this following the belligerent way they insisted on staying back so that they can complete their evil plot in Nigeria. What we discovered in the private social media handles of Amnesty international’s staffers is troubling and worrisome – their account showed individuals whose personal views are jaundiced to the point that they are openly anti-Buhari and counter-Nigeria. We saw on their walls posts that were cynical of every move the government makes and even the seemingly objective ones of their posts were laden with innuendoes that are derisive of the country and its government.  How then can such people or the organization they represent pretend at being neutral or objective?

    It is equally ironic that Amnesty International is vocally supportive of  protests that are branded and promoted as ‘Days f Rage’ to challenge hallucinatory bad government by people with criminal and terrorist backgrounds but the same NGO dismissed our protest at its office for meddlesomeness in Nigeria’s affairs as government sponsored. This clearly exposes the double standard that has always been the hallmark of an organization that brags about being interested in human rights adherence. By the same token that its clients can occupy the streets in violent and murderous protests we, as Nigerians, have the right to be present here as expression of our grievances against the injury being caused to our country.

    Let us not lose sight of the facts of events up until this moment. One of Amnesty International’s clients, one Omoyele Sowore, who scored a few thousands votes as a presidential candidate in the last elections, openly called for Nigerians to join the protests with inciting comments like “except Nigerians bond together and bundle these guys out of our national space we are wasting our time” and “August 5 we are shutting down Nigeria” in apparent reference to forcefully overthrowing a democratically elected government. These threats and others that included destruction of some security organizations are the what Amnesty International is describing as “freedom of expression”. Sadly, some otherwise highly respected individuals have been parroting the NGO’s twisted position because they erroneously believe it is objective as per its international branding.

    We have our fears. If this is the definition of freedom of expression it is a matter of time before some people start calling for the assassination of the opposition figure and some fanatics will carry out the act in an even shorter span of time. When this happens the likes of Amnesty International will accuse the government of carrying out the attacks. The risk of such accusation pales in significance when compared to the danger of Nigeria going up in a conflagration, which is consistent with what this so called international organization has always wanted.

    On this fourth day of our occupation of Amnesty International’s offices in Abuja. We want to call attention to four things:

    “Amnesty International has track record of lying dating back to when it used a rehearsed actress as a witness to justify lies that Iraqi troops were throwing neonates out of incubators in Kuwait. It never walked back that lie. Such questionable means of gathering evidence is responsible for the growing suicide rate among its staff. “

    “Amnesty International is complicit in the affairs of countries that have failed or presently in turmoil today. An organization that can facilitate the ongoing pogrom in Yemen and still be resolute in creating new failed states should not be welcome in any self loving nation on earth.”

    “The financiers of Amnesty International are questionable individuals and organizations. The list include weapon manufacturers that are eager to have new wars and the resultant clients as well as opposition figures that are desperate to gain power through transition, interim or government of national unity as is the case of Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore in Nigeria”

    “There have been countries that successfully  expelled Amnesty International from their jurisdiction in the past. The reason for the expulsions is no different from the crime Amnesty International has been committing in Nigeria. Morocco once expelled the organization while Israel has expelled its affiliates. “

    “These for us are enough reasons not to have this monster in our country. Its output can only be pure evil and the longer it stays among us the more malevolent its evil will be.”

    Since we have passed the half mark in the deadline we gave Amnesty International to leave our country or be thrown out, we are directing our attention to the government because we believe it can send this organization out of Nigeria without waiting for us to unleash our own version of Day of Rage against the dubious organization. We are as a result using today’s protest to call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ministry of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do the needful now.

    We have in the preceding three days defied the element – rain and the sun – to hold this protests against the evil taking up quarters in Nigeria. We are ready to sacrifice even more to defend the interest of Nigeria at all times and we will never stop to bring to the notice of authorities those that do not mean well for Nigeria.

    Our law enforcement agencies must rise to the occasion. It is not enough to arrest insurrectionists, it is important to trace their connections to the other variables in the plot to destabilize Nigeria. They must therefore investigate financial and communications connections between the RevolutionNow leaders and Amnesty International with a view to prosecuting and jailing any of its staffers that are directly involved in the plot to overthrow the government. This should extend to investigating the funding of Amnesty International and how they spend their money to ascertain the various clandestine operations they run against the county.

    We conclude our outing today by demanding that Mr. President appreciate the imperative of not sitting on the fence whilst corporate terrorists destroy the fabrics of our unity and peaceful co-existence. Amnesty International officials in Nigeria have an agenda to overthrow his democratically elected government in the country and it is a plot that is now at an advanced stage given the boldness with which its executioners now take to the streets to implement their plan.

    All the recent activities of Amnesty International is to force the government into inaction so that the coup plotters can carry on undeterred. This has to stop.

     

    Mr. President, you must expel Amnesty International NOW or we will be forced to turn our rage against the NGO.

  • Falana’s request

    The claim that the State Security Service (SSS) has about 294 suspects in its custody, awaiting trial, is shocking. It is shocking because, except for the notorious detention of Col. Sambo Dasuki and Sheik Ibrahim El Zakzaky, which we abhor, there is no information that as many as 294 other citizens could be languishing in SSS cells. The shock morphs into disbelief because, unlike in the military era when abuse of fundamental human rights was rampant, we are operating a constitutional democracy, which prohibits unlawful detention of citizens.

    So, when one of Nigeria’s foremost lawyers, Femi Falana (SAN), claims that he has information about such a huge number of detainees, every Nigerian democrat must be alarmed. We therefore join him to demand that the SSS must release information on the names and alleged offences of the detainees, forthwith. Indeed, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari, who swore openly to defend the 1999 constitution (as amended) to immediately order for a discreet report on the alleged detention, for immediate oversight action.

    Falana, who came under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, last week, wrote to the then Acting SSS Director-General, Mathew Seiyefa, demanding for information with respect to the said detainees. He claimed to have received the information from some of the detainees recently released from the SSS custody by Seiyefa. The released detainees reportedly claimed that the 294 persons were detained in underground cells in dehumanising conditions.

    The eminent lawyer wrote: “in exercise of my right under the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request you to avail me of the names of the 294 detainees and the particulars of the criminal offences allegedly committed by each of them. In case any of the detainees has been charged with any offence in any court of law, you are also requested to supply the details of the cases and the trial courts.” The DG of the DSS is compelled by law to provide the requested information within seven days, from the receipt of the letter.

    Falana went further to remind the DG of the provisions of the constitution prohibiting such illegal detention, as alleged. In the letter, he wrote: “no person can be legally detained beyond 48 hours without a court order in any part of Nigeria under the current democratic dispensation.” Bearing this constitutional imperative in mind, he admonished the agency: “you will agree with me that the detention of the 294 persons in the custody of the DSS for over two years is the height of official impunity”.

    He restated that such impunity: “constitutes a gross infringement of their fundamental human right to personal liberty guaranteed by section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.” We agree with the above statements on human rights of citizens, and have every belief that the President would agree with the submission.

    Considering that as military Head of State in the 1980s, the Buhari regime, in its efforts to clean the mess left by the civilian government that it overthrew, was viewed as highhanded on human rights, we urge the President not to be associated with such tendency as a democratically elected President. The warning is even more imperative, because the immediate past Director-General of SSS had shown himself to be contemptuous of the rule of law, and his sins must not be visited on the President.

    We earnestly doubt if President Buhari could have acquiesced to such huge number of detainees by the SSS. After all, the agency is not the police empowered to prevent, detect and prosecute crime; responsibilities that could yield a high number of detainees awaiting trial. We wonder under what guise the SSS could be fishing in crime waters to harvest such a high number of detainees. Considering that the SSS is a secret police, its operations are mostly discreet, and except for acts threatening national security, once its opacity is about to be compromised, such investigation ordinarily should be handed over to the police to deal with, and where necessary, to prosecute.

    The alleged impunity is further heightened by the claim by Falana that the detention had lasted for over two years. If that claim is true, then those involved have done a huge discredit to the integrity of the President as an elected democrat. That is why the President must dig deep, to find out whether there are those who, while pretending to be loyal to him, are remarkably undermining his reputation. Without prejudice to the investigation, we demand that the detainees be released without further delay.

     

  • El-Zakzaky: Shi’ite members protest in Abuja, demand his release

    Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ite, on Wednesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to free their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who had been in detention since December, 2015.

    The IMN members, who staged a peaceful protest again in Abuja, shutdown Berger-Wuse axis for more than 45 minutes, thereby resulting to heavy traffic along the area, while traders hurriedly closed down their shops in case of any eventuality.

    Some of them were carrying placards, shouting “Buhari free our leader. Buhari free El-Zakzaky and his wife.”

    One of the demonstrators told The Nation that no amount of blackmail and intimidation would make them to surrender.

    He said no amount of cheap blackmail would make them to succumb, because the protests have always been peaceful and they have proven that to the world beyond any reasonable doubt, even in the face of extreme provocation.

    “Our timely rallies, campaigns and other religious activities will continue as at when due and in our usual peaceful ways without fear of intimidation or any recourse to illogical violent means.” He added.

    It will be recalled that the Shi’ites members engaged security personnel, penultimate Monday, while protesting for the immediate release of their leader and his wife. During the clash, both the commercial and vehicular activities were paralyzed at the affected areas.

    Meanwhile, there was heightened security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as more mobile policemen were deployed in strategic parts of the city to forestall any break down of law and order.

    Read Also: Police teargas pro-El-Zakzaky protesters

  • Again, release El-Zakzaky

    The clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, and security forces in Abuja earlier in the week, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties further blight our democracy. Across the democratic world, the right to a peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental ethos of democracy, and the 1999 constitution (as amended) fully provides for these rights, of course, as long as it is peaceful.

    Section 40 provides: “every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.” By this provision the gathering of members of IMN is constitutional, same with their desire “to manifest and propagate his (their) religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance,” which is guaranteed by section 38.

    The reason for their gathering, to press the Federal Government to release their incarcerated leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is also legitimate. On this page, we have joined our voice to demand for the release of El-Zakzaky, after the court granted him bail. We restate that the continued detention of the Shiite leader is a violent abuse of the fundamental rights of the detainee under the extant laws of our country, particularly the provisions of sections 34, 35 and 36 of the constitution.

    But having said that, El-Zakzaky should be released without further delay; his followers are entitled to protest his continued unlawful incarceration. We are worried that by the way members of Shiites (IMN) carry out their protests, they fall into the narrative of the Sunni Moslems that they are lawless. While fundamentalism per say is not unlawful, a practice of it that leads to violence and which fails to recognise the secular laws of the country is unlawful.

    Perhaps because the Shiites are historically associated with Iran and parts of Iraq which are viewed by dominant western media as violent, and considering that amongst Muslims in Nigeria, their sect is ultra-minority, they are treated with disdain. Perhaps those historical exigencies put them perpetually in conflict with the dominant Sunni sect in Nigeria, and as such they are primarily targeted, we don’t know. But whatever may be the underlining challenges, we urge the Federal Government to deal with the sect dispassionately in accordance with the law.

    To that extent, the Federal Government should release the Shiite leader as ordered by the court, unless it is able to secure a legitimate order of a superior court to continue the detention. As a democratic government premised on the rule of law, the government cannot give itself out as one that does not obey the laws of the land. The provision of section 6(6)(b) of the constitution which gives the law court the preeminent position to determine “any question as to the civil rights and obligations” of citizens in any dispute with the government is sacrosanct to the practice of rule of law.

    So, of what value is the continued detention of El-Zakzaky to the security of Nigeria? Is the unlawful detention not giving his members a genuine excuse to further compound the dire insecurity across the country? According to the police, the members turned violent and were attacking passersby and smashing vehicles. We condemn that, despite the unlawful detention of their leader and the effort by the security agencies to prevent them from protesting.

    While fundamental rights must be exercised lawfully, those exercising governmental powers must observe the rule of law. That is the balance that sustains democracy.

  • PDP calls for inquest into Shiite/security clash in Abuja 

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded for an immediate inquest into the violent clash between security forces and members of the Shiite movement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The party expressed grave worry over the handling of security in the nation’s capital and the near breakdown of law and order, which resulted in stampede and disruption of public and private businesses in the city center.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that the clash was as a result of protests by the Shiites over the continued detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    The Shiites leader had been granted bail by the court but the government has continued to keep him in custody, a development the PDP described show of force and infringement on citizens’ rights.

    “Furthermore, the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy across the country are deeply concerned by the continued erosion of democratic tenets by the APC administration, resulting in avoidable crisis in various parts of the country.

    “The PDP sues for calm while demanding for an immediate inquest into the cause of this clash.

    “We also urge security high commands to ensure that this matter is nipped in the bud with the highest level of professionalism,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Police disperse Shiite protesters

  • El-Zakzaky is alive – DSS

    El-Zakzaky is alive – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said on Friday that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is alive

    An official of DSS, who preferred to remain anonymous, said El-Zakzaky was hale and hearty.

    El-Zakzaky was arrested in 2015 after his members blocked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    53 of his followers were arrested on Wednesday by the police following a violent protest in Abuja.

    Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzaky, his followers had organised series of protests in cities across the country for his release.

    NAN

  • Zakzaky’s followers to march across Nigeria Friday

    Zakzaky’s followers to march across Nigeria Friday

    Members of the Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria; popularly known as Shi’ites are to embark on their annual Quds Day marches across the country Friday.

    The Nation recall that, the Shi’ites during similar event in 2014 clashed men of the Nigerian Army and the clash led to the death of over 30 members of the movement, including three sons of El-Zakzaky.

    The 2014 clash was the genesis of the Shi’ites/Army crisis before that of December 2015, which led to the arrest and detention of Zakzaky and his wife.

    Meanwhile, the movement in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa said, the march is a peaceful demonstration in support of victims of Zionism and against illegal occupation of Palestine by Israeli.

    According to the statement, “the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has been in the forefront in observing the Quds Day which is well attended by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the last Friday of Ramadan for several decades now. This year’s event is set to hold tomorrow Friday 28 Ramadan, 1437 equivalent to 23 June, 2017.

    “The IMN hereby call on all people of conscience to join in commemorating this annual event by lending a voice to the oppressed people of Palestine, while condemning the Israeli atrocities on them. It is scheduled to take place in over 24 cities across the country, and all are invited to attend.

    “The Day is commemorated based on conscience and not only on religious consideration as victims of Zionism and illegal occupation of Palestine include Muslims and Christians alike. Moreover pro-Palestinian protest marches such as this are organized in all parts of the world including Europe and America to mark the International Quds Day.

    “The third holiest mosque in Islam, Masjid al Aqsa is under the occupation of the Zionist Israeli regime following the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel. The holy mosque of al-Aqsa is the place through which the holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAWA) undertook his night journey when he ascended to the heavens as mentioned in the holy Quran.

    “The illegal state of Israel had unleashed terror on the innocent but strong-hearted people of Palestine for the past 60 years, killing unarmed men, women and children, demolishing their houses and placing thousands in illegal detention and torture.

    “All these are taking place before the very eyes of the world but for reasons best known to them, the international community is simply looking the other way as this state terrorism is taking place with what could best be described as genocide against the people of Palestine.

    “Left without any help or assistance from the so-called world powers while Israel is dealing deadly blow on the Palestinians, whose lands it had occupied, the entire populace were left to themselves against the terror-laden state of Israel.

    “It is against this background that the leader of Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini declared the last Friday of every month of Ramadan for people of conscience across the globe to express their support for the Palestinian course and condemn the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.

    “We will also like to seize this opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release the revered leader of the IMN, His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who has been most active in this course of struggle for humanity and who in the past lost his children in the cause of this struggle for Palestinian freedom. Today is the 588 days he spent in detention despite a substantive court order for his release”, it said.

     

     

  • Army/Shiite clash: NHRC seeks prompt prosecution of El-Zakzaky, others

    Army/Shiite clash: NHRC seeks prompt prosecution of El-Zakzaky, others

    • Blames Kaduna govt, security agencies for uncertainty over number of dead, missing persons, lost assets

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to ensure prompt prosecution of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and members of his group found culpable for the December 2015 clash between them and men of the Nigerian Army.

    The clash witnessed in Kaduna between December 12 to 14, 2015 led to the death and displacement of yet to be determined number of people, with an unspecified number of property destroyed.

    NHRC also suggested the prosecution of members of the Nigerian Army found culpable for disproportionate and unreasonable use of force in violation of the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct of the Nigerian Army during the clash.

    These formed part of the recommendations contained in a draft report of the NHRC’s investigation into the incident. The draft report prepared by a six-man Special Investigation Panel constituted by the commission, was presented to NHRC’s Executive Secretary in Abuja by its Chairman, Anthony Ojukwu.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe, who commended the panel for a job well done, assured that the final report will be made public  later this year.

    The panel accused the group of being responsible for the immediate cause by blocking a public highway and refusing to yield way when the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff ran into the blockade created by members of IMN, who were armed and became “riotous and constitution an obstruction on the road.

    It recommended total ban, by the Federal, state and local governments, of the blockage of public roads for religious or other purposes like tax collection, social activities and others.

    The NHRC panel faulted the Kaduna State Government and unnamed law enforcement agents for its inability to ascertain the actual number of dead and missing persons, the cause of their death and the value of assets lost in the incident.

    It blamed the lack of “clear and conclusive evidence” about the dead on the hurried mass burial carried out by the state government without allowing specialists at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital to conduct the necessary examinations and tests of the corpses.

    It said the sudden withdrawal of the IMN in the activities of the panel made it impossible to answer questions relating to the number of its members’ death, their identity and the number of their property affected.

    The panel, which noted that the increasing involvement of the military in civil operations was not sustainable, suggested its discontinuation to avoid the increasing conflicts between the military and civil society.

    It called for the establishment of a fresh public inquiry, equipped with forensic and all other necessary support to ascertain the actual number of persons missing or dead and causes of such deaths, the proportionality and reasonableness of the response of the Nigerian Army to the aggression of the IMN during the incident.

    “The appropriate criminal prosecution for blocking the public highway by members of the IMN should be applied to the members and leadership of the IMN for failing to obey lawful directives when requested to do so by law enforcement officials.

    “The leader of IMN should be tried speedily for any offences (if any) established against him and his organisation in line with the Constitution. However, the issue of his continued detention and violation of his right to liberty are already subject of litigation before courts of competent jurisdiction and therefore subjudice,” it said.

    The panel recommended compensation for the dead and others, whose property were demolished by the state government. It urged both the Fed Govt and the Kaduna State to assume responsibility for the care and settlement of the medical bills of those injured in the incident, including El-Zakzaky and his group’s members.

    It said it was able to ascertain among others, that there was violation of the rights to life (of those who died), to freedom of movement (as it relates to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and those in his convoy, who were obstructed by the blockage created by members of the IMN) and to property (in relation to property of IMN members and others destroyed without due process).

    “The leadership and members and members of IMN were responsible for the abuse of the right to freedom of movement of the convoy of the COAS and other members of the public by blocking the public highway on December 12, 2-15.

    “There was the mass demolition of properties by the Kaduna State Government as a result of the incident, without due process, thereby violating the right to property of the victims. The Kaduna State Government did not give figures of numbers of dead persons to the SIP when it visited the state government to request for this and other information on the dead persons,” it said.

  • Again, Shi’ites protest in Kaduna, demand Zakzaky’s release

    Again, Shi’ites protest in Kaduna, demand Zakzaky’s release

    Members of the Islamic movement in Nigeria (IMN) Wednesday embarked on another peaceful demonstration in Kaduna metropolis demanding unconditional release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who has been detained for the past 50 days by security agents.

    The protesters who are mostly student came under auspices of Academic Forum of the movement said; “it is pathetic that contrary to Nigerian constitution that said nobody can be detained more than 24 hours without being charged to the court, sheik El-Zakzaky has been in custody for 50days which is a violation of his constitutional right.”

    The leader of the protest Mikaeel Yusuf said, following the military assault on the residents of sheik El-Zakzaky and two of their centers 730 of their members have been missing while 220 are in Kaduna prison, among them women and students.

    “We must accept the fact that students lay the foundation stone of the future of all societies because the youthful stage of a student is a prominent stage compare to all stages of life. It is a stage where students learn life issues and how to tackle challenges ahead and how to build a beautiful life. This is a stage where the growth and development of every Nation is determined.

    “It is now six weeks on, since when the Nigerian Army launched a coordinated crackdown massacre on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the guardianship of his eminence Allamah Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. Tens of students were brutally killed by the Nigerian Army and hundreds more are still under illegal detentions.

    “This is a display of inhumane and gross violation of fundamental human rights against fellow Nigerian Citizens. Based on the list that the Islamic Movement compiled, 750 men and women are either in military detentions or murdered.

    “Amongst them are dozens of students, excluding the 220 others that are presently in Kaduna, some Prison languishing with gun shots injuries without medical treatment. Children killed in 2014 by the same Army also blocked way? Does the house of Shaikh Zakzaky that was set on fire with people inside and later demolished blocked way?

    “What about killing of finally, we are calling for the immediate release of Allamah Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife as well as all others in detention. The perpetrators of these demonic acts be brought to book for the crime against humanity we demand Justice right now,” he said.

    They however protested from Katsina Roundabout to Kano Road junction on Ahmadu Bello Way, before turning to Kano Road down to Tudun Wada. The streets were shut for the period of the protest.

     

  • El-Zakzaky… Tears of father who lost three kids

    El-Zakzaky… Tears of father who lost three kids

    Last Friday’s alleged attacks on members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiite, by men of the Army in Zaria has come and gone, but the effect of the killings will certainly remain indelible in the heart of the leader of the movement, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, writes ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE

    He cannot just forget it in a hurry. It is a memory that will last the rest of his life. For Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Shite movement in Nigeria, sleep has not come easy since last Friday when soldiers reportedly killed three of his children and not less than 30 members of his sect during a protest in support of Palestinians in Zaria, Kaduna State. The military has said the act was carried out in self defence.

    For 34 years, El-Zakzaky held the procession and not once was anyone attacked. The 35th edition turned bloody.

    His three sons were until the unfortunate incident studying in China and Lebanon. He said they were in Nigeria on vacation when their promising future was suddenly terminated.

    The eldest among them, Ahmad, 24, was the third son of Zakzaky and Malama Zeenatudeen. He was born in October 1990 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He obtained his primary and secondary education in Zaria. Ahmed was a final year student of Chemical Engineering at the Shenyang University of Technology, China.

    According to his father, Ahmad was to graduate by April next year and was only in Nigeria on vacation.

    The Shiite leader said: “Ahmed was arrested on Friday and subsequently killed by soldiers in Zaria after the completion of the pro-Palestinian peaceful procession, called Quds Day, in solidarity with the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Ahmad was arrested with his two other brothers: Hameed and Ali, after their brother Mahmoud was gunned down by soldiers.

    “Ahmad was murdered in cold blood because he was seen alive in Basawa Barracks even though they shot him in his legs. The soldiers subsequently killed him before they took him to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), in Shika.”

    The second son allegedly killed during the procession is Hameed, a 22 years old man and fourth child of Sheikh Zakzaky and Malama Zeenatudeen.

    Born in January 1992 in Zaria, Hameed attended both primary and secondary schools in the ancient Zaria city. Until his death, he was a first year undergraduate student of Aeronautical Engineering in the Xi’an University of Technology (XUT), China.

    According to his father, Hameed came to Nigeria on July 19 for vacation, five days before he was killed.

    “He was arrested by soldiers together with his brothers Ahmad and Ali after the completion of the pro-Palestinian peaceful procession at PZ Junction, Zaria on Friday, he was subsequently murdered by soldiers on Friday evening and his body was deposited at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Zaria,” says Zakzaky.

    Mahmoud, 19, was the sixth child of Sheikh Zakzaky and Malama Zeenatudeen and the third that was allegedly killed by soldiers.

    He was born in 1995 in Zaria and had his primary and post-primary education there before proceeding to Al-Mustapha International University in Beirut, Lebanon, where he was studying until his death.

    Mahmoud, according to The Nation‘s investigation, also came back to Nigeria at the beginning of Ramadan for vacation.

    He was shot, according to his father, by soldiers at the end of a pro-Palestinian peaceful procession held in Zaria. Mahmoud was shot in his stomach.

    “After the soldiers shot him, we tried to take him to a hospital but the soldiers blocked the roads. That was how he bled to death,” Sheikh Zakzaky said.

    The Nation gathered that another son of the Sheik, Ali Ibrahim, was also arrested alongside Ahmad and Hameed, and “had his two limbs fractured by the soldiers’ gunshots”.

    As at the time of filing this report, he was said to be receiving treatment at ABUTH, Shika.

    After the Eid prayer at the Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria on Sunday, Sheikh El-Zakzaky described the incident as the “indiscriminate shooting of peaceful protesters”.

    The Shi’te leader said the military targeted his sons.

    He said: “There is nothing like Boko Haram killing people; we cannot be fooled. Those in authority are the sole authors of the atrocities.

    “On our own part, they came in broad day light in their military uniforms, fully armed with military inscriptions on their vehicles and committed arson and murder. From this you will understand those killing innocent citizens either in Birnin Gwari forest or Zamfara and other places.

    “It is unbelievable that sporadic killings were going with a democratically elected government assuming ignorance of the issue and lacks control. There is nothing like Boko Haram killing people, we cannot be fooled. Those in authority are the sole authors of the atrocities.

    “The celebration of the Quds Day is a celebration that is observed all over the world. In the last 35 years in Nigeria, yesterday’s (Friday’s) event was the 32nd. It means that for the past 32 years we have been observing the day in solidarity with the Palestinian people, which comes up on the last Friday in every month of Ramadan.

    “This day is even observed in Washington, New York and Beijing. In Nigeria, we have been observing it, at least, in 22 cities, including Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Lagos, Port Harcourt, among others.

    “All of a sudden, soldiers appeared from nowhere and started shooting people. Some of them coming to or going out of the procession. They continued shooting until the fall of the night. They hid inside the sugarcane farm close to the Kubanni area. They were sporadically shooting anyone passing. It could be simply anyone.

    “During the shooting, they killed many people, including women and children. It was during the shooting that one of my sons, Mahmood, a student of Al-Mustapha University, Beirut, who came home at the beginning of this Ramadan for holiday, was killed. He was shot at the abdomen and was brought here and we attempted to take him to the hospital but along the road he bled to death.

    “Also, they arrested some people and three of my children were among, Ahmad, Hameed and Ali. They were taken alive and well. But after liaison with some people, especially police, they told us that they were taken to military hospital in Basawa.

    “When we demanded that they should give them back to us, they said they would take them to Shika, ABUTH. Later on we came to realise that they had already killed Ahmad and Hameed, and that Ali was wounded on the leg.

    “When I demanded for the release of my sons through the GOC 1 Mechanised Division, Okuh said he would release them but not alive. By Allah’s infinite mercy, Ali is alive; he saw how his brothers were brutally murdered before his eyes.  He is receiving medical attention, as a result of compound fracture on his leg, from the several shooting on his leg.

    “Yesterday, we had a total of 16 bodies and learnt that they have taken nine to the ABUTH, with my two children, it makes 11.

    “This morning, as they were passing-by the Husainiyya, the soldiers also decided to shoot. They killed three more people and injured many. We also learnt they have taken two more bodies this morning. So far, 35 people were killed.

    “Of the 35, we have 19 bodies and they have the rest. We wanted to have the funeral of all of them today, but because they have mounted a roadblock, it is not possible to collect the remaining corpses from the ABUTH.

    “The police that have been helping us, yesterday called to say that it was advisable for us we leave the bodies until the soldiers are not there.

    “Even today, having some patients with wounds, we went to the police to escort us to the hospital, but the Area Commander said he had been warned to take off his hands from this matter. We made some observations. This demonstration took place in different cities, but they decided to attack only Zaria. Even in Kaduna, soldiers and police escorted the procession. Therefore, these soldiers were brought from Abuja, to kill people.

    “Let me disabuse your mind that, it is not the question of Shiite; it is people. Solidarity with Palestinian is not a question of belief. You don’t have to be Shiite or even Muslim to show the solidarity. It cannot be a better time than now when for 19 consecutive days Gaza has been under siege. If this solidarity is taking place all over the world, why Nigeria and Zaria, particularly, that people would be attacked?

    “We had noticed that they had assigned their men to join the procession in civilian cloth. These people, whenever they saw soldiers, they started shouting, and that’s what they have been doing to us during our previous demonstrations. People who are among us obey instructions. But these soldiers in civilian uniform chased the ones in uniform to their barracks.

    “They came with the gimmicks that they were our people. They used that as pretext to attack us. This morning, in the Husainiyya, when they were passing and people were shouting, and it was their people, they killed innocent people.

    “Perhaps, if there is any clash, it is among them. But, as far as we know, it was the soldiers who opened fire on people passing-by in a peaceful demonstration, and that was what happened.

    “I have not seen the bodies of my two sons. Mahmood is with us, but the rest we have not seen them. Similarly, Ali who has fracture on his leg, we have not seen him.”