Amnesty International in Nigeria has called for urgent investigation into the alleged killing of Shiite members by the Nigeria military in Zaria, Kaduna state, at the weekend.
In a statement today, the Director of the Amnesty International in Nigeria, M.K. Ibrahim said that anyone found responsible for unlawful killings in the Zaria violence must be brought to justice.
“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released.
“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military.
“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.”
Security forces arrested many members of the sect, including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and has remained in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to the university teaching hospital.
This is even as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set up a panel to probe the clash.
The panel, headed by a director at the commission, Tony Ojukwu, was set up following a petition by the Army alleging that members of the sect attempted to assassinate Tukur Buratai, its chief of staff, along Sokoto road in Zaria, Kaduna state, last Saturday.
According to the Army, members of the sect on the orders of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, attacked the convoy of Buratai, who was on his way to pay homage to the Emir of Zazzau and to attend the passing out parade of some new recruits in the state.
“The sect numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects. The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the chief of army staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as special guest of honour at the passing out parade which has earlier been widely publicized,” Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, had said in a statement.
“The troops responsible for the safety and security of the chief of army staff on hearing explosion and firing were left with no choice than to defend him and the convoy at all cost as well as open up the barricaded road for law abiding citizens. This is in line with the Nigerian army rules of engagement and code of conduct. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated from any individual or groups and should not be allowed to repeat itself.”
But the sect denied making an attempt on the life of the chief of army staff, alleging that the army shot its unarmed members killing scores of them. [myad]
