#FreeZakzaky - Justice For The Martyrs Of Zaria Massacre

In the 48 hours between 12-14th December 2015 the Nigerian army under the command of Lieutenant General-Tukur Buratai massacred over 1000 residents of Zaria in northern Nigeria. They were targeting Sheikh Ibraheen al-Zakzaky and his supporters. Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah were both shot and abducted without charge, their three sons were murdered in the attack and their home was destroyed, as was the graves of the Sheikh's parents. The army burnt the community's mosque to the ground and demolished their cemetery. The majority of deaths were caused by gunshots fired by soldiers. Some were reportedly burnt alive or hacked to death with machetes and knives. Reports have also emerged of sexual violence by soldiers including cases of rape against women and children. A 14 years old girl told IHRC investigators that the military shot her in her private parts when she resisted attempts by soldiers to rape her. Others have had their breasts cut off. The soldiers mutilated the dead before hiding the bodies in mass graves.

Amnesty International has condemned the massacre, their report on the second anniversary, dated 13 December 2017, states "Satellite images of the Mando mass grave site taken on 2 November and 24 December 2015 show severe disruption of an area of approximately 1000 square metres, including the destruction of buildings and mosques. A full independent forensic investigation into this crime under international law is long overdue. Many families still do not know the fate of their loved ones who have not been seen or heard of since December 12, 2015. Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation should order that the bodies in the mass graves are exhumed, and that those suspected to be responsible for their deaths are prosecuted in fair trials.. The Nigerian government has failed to publicly condemn the unlawful killings that took place in Zaria.."

The 2015 massacre follows a similar attack on the community on 25th July 2014, when the army shot at a peaceful pro-Palestine Al-Quds Day procession, killing 34 people.

Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, along with his wife Zeenah, have been held without charge for two years following their abduction during the Zaria massacre. The Nigerian federal high court on 2nd December 2016 ordered their released on the basis that their detention is illegal and unconstitutional. The judge gave the Nigerian authorities 45 days to unconditionally release the pair. Despite this the security services have refused to release them, they are held at a secret black site and are thought to have been tortured.

Amnesty International has stated "Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky and his wife have been unlawfully detained since the killings, despite an Abuja High Court order for their release a year ago. The Nigerian government cannot continue to disregard this court order and as a matter of urgency respect the rule of law by releasing them immediately.�

Sheikh al Zakzaky's movement promotes social justice and educational programmes across Nigeria, meeting the needs of the poor and disenfranchised that the government has failed to address. It strongly abhors sectarianism, believing in unity against oppression. This is in stark contrast to Saudi promotion of divisive sectarianism in Nigeria, pitting Sunnis against Shias and Muslims against Christians. The Islamic Movement has mass support across Nigeria, across all sectarian lines, and is renowned as a peaceful group that has never been implicated in any violence. It is strongly opposed to the terrorism of Boko Haram and has in fact been its victim on several occasions.

Because of its principled position, Al-Zakzaky and his movement has been targeted by the corrupt Nigerian military at the behest of its foreign backers Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Inminds chair Abbas Ali said "We hold President Buhari directly responsible for the slaughter and crimes against humanity perpetrated by his military chief Lieutenant General-Tukur Buratai, the butcher of Zaria. We demand justice of the innocents slaughtered at Zaria, and freedom for those abducted by the army including Sheikh Ibraheen al-Zakzaky. Buhari and Buratai should be arrested and stand charges at the International Criminal Court for the Zaria massacres of 2014 and 2015."