By Ibrahim Imam, Kaduna – Palpable fear has gripped residents of GRA and Darur Rahma areas of Kaduna following a military operation against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, a Shia Muslim sect accused of attacking the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Brutai on Saturday.
Even as the Sect said Sayyid Aliy and Malama Zeenat Ibraheem, son and wife of its leader, Sheik Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky have been killed by soldiers on Sunday.
According to the Army, Buratai’s convoy was attacked by Shiites on his way to the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, in an assassination attempt on his life.
Army Spokesman, Sani Usman, said Buratai escaped unhurt after soldiers enforced “rules of engagement.”
The army then raided the house of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the sect, and the Husainiyya headquarters of the Shi’ites, where they were engaged in a shoot out by sect members.
Others allegedly killed in the gun battle are Sheik Muhammad Turi, leader of its Kano centre, Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed, Ibrahim Usman and Jummai Gilima and tens of other members.”
A statement issued on Sunday and signed by President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, the sect denied claims by the military that it attacks Buratai’s convoy, accusing the military of attacking it unprovoked.
Two of Zakzaky’s sons were killed in a similar incident last year.
Full text of the statement reads:
Following alleged blockade of the route of the Chief of Army Staff by the members of the Movement, the Nigerian Army brutally descended on armless members of the Movement with heavy military weapons killing indiscriminately.
In the mean time, leading members of the Islamic Movement and other members as well, have been killed 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 sporadic killings took place at three different locations that include the residence of the reverred 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 unjusifiably 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 aggrieved members of the Movement across the country have taken to the streets in condemnatory protests.
Signed by Ibrahim Musa
President of Media Forum Of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria
