Don’t Joke With Shiites Killings – Shehu Sani Warns Goodluck Jonathan
A renowned human rights activist and President of Civil Rights Congress (CRC), Comrade Shehu Sani, has urged President Jonathan to set a committee to look into the killing of innocent Shiites members in Zaria, Kaduna State, by soldiers.
Comrade Shehu Sani
Comrade Shehu Sani, who stated the security agencies triggering another crisis despite the country's inability to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, made this known in a statement.
Sani said: “We have learnt that members of the movement were fired at while on their yearly peaceful procession, in solidarity with the people of Palestine, which as a result also led to the death of two children of Sheikh El Zakzaki,” unreservedly condemning the shootings.
“The killings are cruel, inhuman, barbaric and a dangerous act with wider security implications for the peace and stability of our country. It's most unfortunate and sad that our security forces have not learnt their lessons on the grievous implications of cold blood killings of religious leaders or their faithfuls. While the nation is still battling with the insurgency in the north east, which was triggered by the extra judicial killing of Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, a new front is deliberately and mischievously ignited by the Nigerian soldiers.”
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He described the tragic incident in Zaria as a clear testimony that Nigeria’s security forces are a part of the problem.
"The unprovoked attack and killing of the members of the movement is a reprehensible and abominable act capable of triggering a wider bloodletting and endless conflict. The impunity and brigandage by our security forces undermines the peace and stability of our country and by extension the authority and credibility of the Government.”
He also stressed that security forces established, recognized and funded by constitutional guarantees must operate within the ambit of the laws and democratic tenets, but observed that Nigerians live in fear of both the insurgents and the military.
In that regard, Sani stated that security institutions must conform to and respect the fundamental rights of Nigerians as guaranteed by the constitution, and called on President Jonathan to take charge and accept responsibility for the situation on the ground as the buck stops on his table.
“A systematic policy and strategy of gross rights violations by security forces in the guise or excuse of fighting terrorism is unacceptable,” the statement said.
“Shooting peaceful protesters is tantamount to encouraging armed rebellion. Killing peaceful protesters is the most potent justification for violent causes. Our exigent need to end insurgency in the north east must not be at the price of the life and liberties of other innocent Nigerians. The Federal Government must investigate the killings of the members of the Islamic movement and bring to book all those who perpetrated this despicable and callous act.”
It was reported on July 25, that there was tension in Kaduna following a clash between Nigeria Army and Shittes Muslims which resulted in the troops reportedly opening fire again at the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Shiites and killing some of the members, while injuring several.
On July 26, 2014, the violence continued as it was reported the troops stormed Husainiyyah Baqiyyatullah centre of the state about 9am, killing three people and leaving about ten persons with various degrees of injuries.
Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, who condemned the killing of the Shiites by the troops and maintained the Shiites were unarmed, lost three of his sons during the gunfire at a rally in support of Palestinians on Israel’s invasion of Gaza on July 25, 2014. He also maintained that the Shiites had never armed themselves in their history, and Friday’s march in Zaria, Kaduna State, was not an exclusion.
Source: Legit.ng
