Nigerian Army Denies Plan To Retrieve Shiites Bodies From Mass Grave

By Mohammad Ibrahim,

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Nigerian Army has denied allegations by Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shi’ite that they are planning to retrieve bodies buried in Mass Grave in the Kaduna, northwest Nigeria.

The Army while reacting to a report published Thursday by Sahara Reporters where the sect members alleged that the Nigerian Army is planning to steal bodies from mass grave.

The group further, stressed that a contingent of soldiers have been deployed to keep guard at the site of the mass grave in an effort to prevent the uncovering of the hundreds of bodies buried there.

A statement by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Colonel Abdul Usman made available to newsmen said Nigerian Army will like to make it abundantly clear that, it has never contemplated such act at anytime.

It explains that It is simply a figment of their jaundiced imagination and a campaign of calumny against the Army.

“The Army strongly and categorically reject the IMN’s unfounded and spurious allegation. It is simply a concoction of lies and deliberate effort by the IMN to portray the the Nigerian Army’s image negatively.

“It’s of no relevance whatsoever. We are focused on discharging our constitutional duty as a professional military force. We expect any responsible media to double check such weighty allegations before going to press. Nigeria’s national security and interest must never be toyed with.

“Nigerian Army as a law abiding entity had already stated its facts regarding the December 12-14 incident in Zaria before the Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba led Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission had on Wednesday 27th April, 2016 visited all the sites of the incident in Zaria, including the grave site in Kaduna.

“It was widely aired. It is not the duty of the Army to guard any public grave site other than our own designated military cemeteries. It appears that the IMN’s desire is to whip up public sympathy not minding their crimes over several years against the people of Zaria as testified by the parties at the just concluded sitting of the commission.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria failed to state her facts or opinion if any as regards the incident of December 12th and 14th 2015 before the judicial commission of inquiry.

“While we await the report of the judicial commission, we would like to call on the general public to disregard this unfounded claim. Nigerian Army will continue to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens in every part of our great country. That is our mission,” the statement says.

Zakzaky Selfish, Power Monger — Splinter Group

By Bello Adisa

Kaduna (Nigeria) — A group, Jamaatu Tajdeed Islam (JTI) Thursday testified against the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky describing him as selfish who wants to be a Supreme Leader.

JTI, is a breakaway faction of the IMN, says its founder, Aminu Aliyu Gusau.

Addressing Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating clashes between Nigeria Army and Shiite in December 2015, Gusau said, he and Zakzakky were friends, and that they were of the same brotherhood, but parted ways when the brotherhood was growing to become a Shiite.

“We splitted in 1994 when I discovered the brotherhood we started is becoming Shiite. And then I went to form JTI.” He said

Gusau described El-Zakzaky as a person who wants to dominate, but with a weakness of allowing his followers to take drastic decisions without his knowledge.

When asked to comment on action of the Army in the December 12th clash, Gusau praised the Army for their tolerance while also admitting that the IMN does not recognize any constitution or authority.

In another submission contrary to that of the JTI, Secretary General of Rasulul Aazam Foundation, RAAF another Shiite group, Sheikh Saleh Zaria, frown at blanket statement on reffering to IMN as the only Shiite group in Nigeria.

Zaria who was out to correct the impression in the commission, said there are other shiite association that are law abiding.

He continued when he said there was no where in the Shiite beliefs, that says one should not recognise constituted authority established by law of the land, this according to him is what differentiates their group, among others from the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Zaria Killings: Nigerian Army Released A Shiite Corpse, Body Laid To Rest

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Out of the over one thousand members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, alleged to have been killed by the military in Zaria, only two bodies have been released for burial; the second was buried Thursday.

Idris Khalid, 50, was buried according to Islamic rites at Tudun wada cemetery in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, with hundreds of people in attendance.

He was shot and fatally wounded when the military open fire on members of the Islamic Movement at Sheikh Zakzaky’s residence in Gyallesu, Zaria.

Though he didn’t die on the spot, he was among those arrested by the army and handed over to the police in Kaduna.

This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesman of the group, Ibrahim Musa in Kaduna.

The statement says, after just 3 days in police custody, Khalid was pronounced dead, most probably due to lack of medical attention, and was held in custody since then.

Khalid, a native of Duhu village in Katsina, died leaving behind three wives, but no children.

Human Rights watch, an international human rights group is reported to have said that over 300 people were killed by the military in Zaria between 12-14 December, 2015.

The military has disputed the figure, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai telling National Human Rights Commission in Abuja that only seven people were killed.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has published a list of almost a thousand people who have been declared missing since the army’s pogrom in Zaria, and among it’s demands is that the army should hand over the corpses of those it killed to their relatives for proper Islamic burial, though there are reports that most of them have been burnt by the military and others buried in mass graves around Kaduna.

EXCLUSIVE: Sheikh Zakzaky Blinded In One Eye, DSS Sources Say — SaharaReporters

Department of State Services (DSS) sources speaking with SaharaReporters have stated that the Shiite leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, has not been released because of the gruesome injuries he and his wife sustained during the Nigerian army’s raid on their home in December 2015.

This DSS source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the Nigerian government was in a major dilemma about how to release Sheikh Zakzaky. The two civilians are in DSS custody, according to this source.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian army rampaged against the IMN for three days in Kaduna State last December 2015. The incident occurred when a convoy of military vehicles, one of which was carrying the Chief of Army Staff TY Buratai, was blocked by IMN protesters. The military, who argued they were provoked, massacred at least 300 people according to Human Rights Watch.

The use of violent force by the military continued for three days, including the destruction of Shiite sites of worship, and the raid and detention of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife after the rampaging soldiers shot and killed three of his sons. Shortly after the attack images emerged of Shiekh Zakzaky plopped into a wheelbarrow with severe injuries.

The DSS source disclosed to SaharaReporters that the condition of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife is so disturbing that Nigerian authorities worry it could provoke a backlash by the IMN and Shiite Muslims across the world.

“[Sheikh Zakzaky] is blinded in one eye from a bullet wound to the skull” the source stated. They added that his eye had popped out because of this injury.

Sheikh Zakzaky was also shot in the leg during the military’s raid on his home that took place on Monday, December 14th, 2015.

SaharaReporters has also confirmed that Sheikh Zakzaky’s wife, who was arrested in the raid with her husband, received a bullet wound in the abdomen and arm and would continue to require critical medical attention.

These developments come days after the Minister of Defense, Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali, told SaharaReporters that military force against the group did not extend beyond Saturday, December 12th. Mr. Dan Ali did not want to comment on who authorized the use of force because a board of inquiry is currently investigating the events.

Ibrahim Musa, the spokesman for the IMN, told SaharaReporters that “we demand the immediate release of Sheikh Zakzaky so that we can take good care of him. They should release him so we can get him treatment.”

Shiites/Soldiers Clash: El-Rufa’i Grants Four Weeks Extension To Commission Of Inquiry

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria clashes has been granted a four-week extension to conclude its job.

According to Kaduna Government the extension was granted at the request of the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry.

When the Commission of Inquiry was inaugurated, it was given six weeks from its first sitting to submit its final report.

The extension of the Commission was announced in a statement by the Spokesperson of the state government, Samuel Aruwan and made available to newsmen in the state.

He explained that with the first public sitting holding on 22nd February 2016, the final report of the Commission was expected by 4th April 2016.

“However, proceedings of the commission have been repeatedly adjourned since its first public sitting. The adjournments were granted to enable the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to submit a memorandum.

“Four subsequent sittings of the Commission on 24th February, 29th February, 7th March and 14th March 2016 also ended in adjournments as the Commission of Inquiry sought to provide a level playing ground and opportunity for fair hearing to all parties involved in the subject of the inquiry.

“These adjournments have taken up the time allotted to the Inquiry, and as such more time is required to conduct the business of the inquiry and submit a final report.

“Following a formal request by Justice Muhammed Lawal Garba, chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the government of Kaduna State has given the Commission four more weeks to complete the inquiry,” he said.

Stop Implementing Saudi – Wahabbi Sponsored Agenda: Shiite Tells Nigerian Army And Government

By Adisa Idris

Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as the Shiite, Wednesday raised alarm over alleged plans by Nigerian Army to attack it members in Katsina State.

In a statement, President of the Media Forum of the movement, Ibrahim Musa, said reports from Katsina indicates that the Nigerian army is amassing troops in an attempt at a clampdown on the Islamic sect in the town.

“Early in the morning armed troops were seen surrounding the main Juma’at mosque, where a peaceful maulud procession of the daughter of the Prophet, Nana Fatima (AS) was scheduled to take off. Seeing this and due to the peaceful disposition of the Islamic Movement, the take-off venue of this yearly event was changed to another neighbourhood of the town, and the procession went round some major streets of the town and ended without any incident.

“However to our consternation, reinforcement was brought from neighbouring formations of the army, and roadblocks were mounted on almost all the major roads leading to Katsina city.

“We have been reliably informed that the army is set to replicate the wanton destruction of lives and properties it carried out in Zaria last December. The army it seems has vowed to attack the Markaz Islamic centre in the town any moment from now, possibly kill all its occupants and raze it to ground just as it did to Husainiyya Islamic centre in Zaria.

“The Islamic Movement is amazed at what happened to our fundamental constitutional right to peaceful assembly and practice of religion in a democratic setting. This maulud procession is a yearly event that has been going on in several cities across the Nation for decades without any incident, like so many of our educational programs. Why we should be the subject of brutal attack by the authorities is mind boggling.

“We are of the view that there is a ‘jihadi’ element in the Nigerian army that wants to hide under the cloak of our secular national army to achieve the clandestine aim of wiping out members of the Islamic Movement all over the federation. If that is the case, they should come out in the open and declare their intentions, since the Nigerian army we know is forbidden to do the bidding of any religious agenda.

“Also reports reaching us from Kebbi state have confirmed to us that security agencies in various local governments of the state have ordered members of the Islamic Movement to stop any educational program they are known to engage in. The report states that any attempt to disregard what was said to be an order from the Federal government, would be met with ruthless clamp down. In fact, about ten members of the Islamic Movement are presently facing prosecution simply for attending an educational session in a mosque in Birnin Kebbi. Wither freedom of religion in this country?

“The Islamic Movement therefore enjoins fellow citizens to call the federal government to order. Rather than pursue a religious agenda, specifically a Saudi-wahabbi sponsored agenda to kill whom they label Shiites, the federal government should devise means of relieving the masses that voted it into power the myriads of the day to day hardship they encounter in their lives.

“Even as we keep watch of events by the army in Katsina and other places, we wish to reiterate our demand of immediate release of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub Zakzaky and other brothers and sisters of the Islamic movement held incommunicado for close to the past four months. They did no wrong; hence they should be set free unconditionally,” The statement states.

Shiite Distances Self From Kidnap Of Nigerian Army Colonel

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ites Monday distances itself from the kidnap of a Nigerian Army Colonel in Kaduna.

Nigerian Army on Sunday announced the kidnap of one of its senior officers, Colonel Samaila Inusa by unknown gunmen in Kaduna. He was kidnapped on Saturday evening.

A statement by the Shi’ites spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa says their attention has been drawn to a false, unsubstantiated and mischievous claim, that looks more like a planned operation aimed at painting the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) black.

That some ‘intelligence’ report showed that IMN may plan to kidnap military officers for ransom for the release of their leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

“Typically, this was followed by the alleged kidnap of an Army officer in Kaduna with the Nigerian Army issuing statement calling on the public to give information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Soon, some media outlets were quick to quote these malicious sources linking the IMN with the alleged kidnap.”

“We wish to categorically state here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has never, is not and will never engage in any form of crime to meet any of its objectives. Crime and criminal activities are fundamentally sinful and are not in our character.

“The Islamic Movement knows that due to official administrative ineptitude and official negligence of constituted authority, a lot of crimes including kidnapping are prevalent in the country.

“As a religious body, the IMN condemns and preaches against all forms
of crime. Therefore, it is virtually illogical and unreasonable for anyone to presume that the IMN would turn around to engage in such acts of immorality,” it says.

It adds that IMN is a peaceful mass Movement, with enlightened and
responsible members which close to four decades now, “It has conducted its activities in the most civilized manner and cannot in any way be derailed from that golden track record. IMN will therefore never be lured or diverted into any form of crime or violence.

“It is obvious that the government and its Army are going further with their plans of campaign of calumny and false propaganda against the Movement ranging from smear documentaries on Television networks, advertorials in daily newspapers, sponsoring fake non-governmental organizations and engagement of some very dubious characters to malign the IMN and its leadership, to engaging in organized crimes and attributing same to the Movement,” it concludes

Zaria Killings: Shiite’s Legal Team Withdraws From Commission Of Inquiry

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Legal team of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ites Islamic sect in Nigeria) Tuesday announced withdrawal from appearance before the Judicial commission of inquiry set up to investigate the clash between members of the sect and Nigerian Army in Zaria last December.

The legal team led by Barrister Festus Okoye told journalists in Kaduna, northwest nigeria, that the decision was taken after several efforts to meet with the sect leader (who is in military custody) failed.

He said, so far the team cannot continue to represent a client that they are not aware whether he is alive or dead and not sure of his state of health considering the fact that he was shot severally by the Nigerian military before he was taken away.

“The legal team of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria will not be used and will not allow itself to be used to legitimize a pre-determined position and agenda against the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

“The legal team thought it could lend its support to the movement to tell the Nigerian public and the international community its own version of the events of the 12th to 14th of December 2015, but all efforts aimed at getting proper briefing from the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria met a brick wall.

“The legal team has resolved that in the light of the realities of lack of access, briefing and representation for the movement, the most honorable thing to do is to withdraw completely from appearance before the commission in whatever form and manner and to cease any form of representation in whatever form or manner for the movement.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria believes that the Nigerian people are entitled to know the truth of what happened in Zaria and Kaduna and will explore alternative means and avenues of letting the Nigerian people know the truth of what happened,” Bar. Okoye stated.

Daughter of the Islamic Movement leader, Suhalie Ibrahim El-Zakzaky recounted her ordeal of the bloody invasion of their home by men of the Nigerian Army.

She said they were observing the early morning prayers when the soldiers gained entrance and raided the house.

“We were at home when the attacks on the Hussainniya started. It was around 10pm at night, we heard gunshots from afar. It turned out that the military were there. They were shooting at people and advancing towards the house. We spent our night with shootings going on.

“It was morning when a lot of people were performing their early morning prayers, they got the opportunity to come close to the house and that was when they eventually gained entrance. They killed as much people as they found. They burnt some alive. We were in the house, but in the part that was not burnt down, but I think they assumed that everybody was burnt. So they didn’t search. We spent the night like that.

“In the morning, I think they came to search the house to see what is there. I myself, my parents, my brothers and some other members of the movement were there when they discovered where we were hiding. They randomly shot at us for few seconds or more. When it finally stopped, that was when we realized that my father and mother has been shot.

“And my three brothers have been shot dead and other people they were with. They took us away one by one. We were beaten up and taken away in trucks to the Army depot in Zaria. Since then we lost contact till date. We were detained for four days,” she narrated.

 

Shi’ite Drags Nigeria Before ICC, As Inquiry Commission Fixes Wednesday For Hearing

By Ibrahim Mohammad and Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Shi’ites Islamic sect on Monday announced dragging Nigerian Government and its Military to International Criminal Court in Hague for crime committed against its members.

Nigerian soldiers have killed Shi’ites members in December in an attempt to arrest the sect leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife in Zaria, northwest Nigeria.

“Over 1000 IMN members were murdered by the soldiers in just two days. This is a crime against humanity, it’s a crime committeed against us with the intention of eliminating our members.” Shi’ites spokesman, Ibrahim Musa told journalists in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria.

According to him, Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has called on the international tribunal which has a mandate to prosecute people for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, to open a preliminary inquiry into last year’s event in Zaria, in which soldiers attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) supporters, their symbols and property.

“The assault over two days left a trail of bloodshed and destruction, including the shooting of the movement’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat. Both are currently believed to be in military custody, detained without charge,” he said.

In the filing submitted to the ICC today IHRC writes: “The crimes committed between the 12th and 14th December 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State, by the Nigerian army amount to crimes against humanity. The crimes committed by the Nigerian army meet all the necessary legal requirements to warrant a preliminary investigation by the ICC prosecutor.”

“Information obtained by IHRC indicates that 217 people were confirmed killed in the attacks, another 219 are in detention, and 482 are still missing. The number of injured is believed to run into many hundreds. IHRC’s filing to the ICC is largely based on eye-witness evidence of the army’s assault,” he said,

On whether they believed their leader is still alive he said ” we are confident our leader Sheikh Zakzaki is still alive. This is because we believe in what the committee set up by Supreme Council of Nigeria told us when they met him. We know they will not lie to us,” he said.

The spokesman also said the movement will also institute other legal cases against Federal government and military over the Zaria killings.

“All we want is justice for our members and our leader. We are still working alongside our lawyers to file other lawsuits against the government and military over their atrocities against our members,” he said.

He also called for the release of their members who are still in jail despite their gunshots injuries.

Meanwhile, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set to look into the killings said it will commence hearing on Wednesday, after counsel to the Shiite must have gain access to the leader of the movement on Monday.

“We are making a short adjournment to 23rd of March, Wednesday so that they can come and make submissions,” he said.

Non access to El – Zakzaky by the sect lawyers has stood as a barrier to commencement of hearings, five weeks after the commission was inaugurated – the shiite members and their lawyers had demanded to see the sect leader before submitting any memoranda.

Chairman of the Commission, Justice Mohammadu Lawal Garba said the sitting had to be adjourned because there were strong indications that counsel to the Shiites would be granted access to the sect leader on Monday.

He however expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the shiites to notify the commission of not appearing, or sending a formal excuse for their absence.