Nigerian forces have arrested the top Shia cleric, Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, after carrying out a deadly raid on his private residence in the country’s northern region, rights activists say.
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Nigerian soldiers have killed the son of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria according to members of the movement.
“Leading members of the Islamic Movement and other members as well, have been martyred by the soldiers including the leader of the Kano Center, Sheikh Muhammad Turi, Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed, Malam Ibrahim Usman and Sister Jummai Gilima. Also killed was Sayyid Aliy, the son of the leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), the wife of the Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), Malama Zeenat Ibraheem and tens of other members as more are being killed as at the time of this release,” the group said in a press statement signed by Ibrahim Musa, head of the media forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
The group said in its statement that the Nigerian Army “brutally descended on armless members of the Movement with heavy military weapons killing indiscriminately” following the alleged blockade of the route of the chief if army staff.
The group further said that soldiers fired shots at the residence of the leader of the Movement at Gyallesu, the Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA and the Darur Rahma located along Zaria-Jos road “where many armless people were killed.”
“The killing was so brutal at Gyallesu that even those injured in the shooting were identified and killed in cold blood by the soldiers. And as at the time of writing this press release, the victims run into their hundreds, if not thousands.
“Considering the gross violation of fundamental human rights and extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the Nigerian Army, the Islamic Movement hereby condemns these unjustifiable acts. We state categorically that the claim by the Army that Members of the Movement attempted of assasinate the Chief of Army Staff was a blatant lie as the army came back to launch their attack more than an hour after the COAS had passed.
“Clearly, the Nigerian government through its military is now on rampage, in an all out war with the Islamic movement, its members and structures. The scale of this attack would suggest it was meticulously planned by authorities and now being executed ruthlessly. The alledged attack on COAS Burutai was just an alibi. Therefore, with all pointers at the government as the contractor of the killings, we hereby call on well meaning Nigerians and the international community to intervene and seek redress for the victims and their family members as many innocent people have unjustifiably been killed and many others severely injured.
“In the mean time there is no idea as to the where about of the leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) nor his current condition, and agrieved members of the Movement across the country have taken to the streets in condemnatory protests.”
source : abna24
