Quds day killings: More facts emerge

Daily TRUST

Published on Saturday, 02 August 2014 05:00 Written by Isa Liman, Zaria

•Killer officer identified; Christian, beggar among dead – Zakzaky

As more facts regarding what led to penultimate Friday’s fracas between some soldiers and Shiites in Zaria continue to unfold, Weekly Trust uncovered some of the events that sparked the incident.

When Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky accused Lt Col. S. O Okuh of the 11 Field Engineer Regiment, Basawa, Zaria, as being the person behind the killing of 33 members of his Shiite sect, including three of his biological sons, many things came to mind.

Col. Okuh is a familiar name to most residents of Zaria. He is popular among some residents largely because of the way he goes about discharging his ‘duties.’ He is said to be in charge of all the military checkpoints in Zaria and its environs. As such, the colonel, according to some residents, most of the time delves into issues that are allegedly outside his jurisdiction.

When about 33 people were killed during the annual Quds day procession by the Shiites in Zaria, the impression that most residents had was that it was soldiers who opened fire when some of the Shiites in the procession resisted to give way for an army commandant of 11 Engineer Regiment.

However, recent events according to eye witness accounts suggest that Okuh was the one who was behind the killings.
According to Sheikh Zakzaky, information obtained from those who survived the onslaught had identified Okuh as the one who personally killed some of the victims.

Defence spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade however described the claims by the cleric and some Zaria residents concerning the officer as mere allegations, until proven otherwise.

“Thirty three people were killed but there was no statement from a single person from the above. Even killing one person, some presidents must speak. No minister of defence or any other person has said anything,” the cleric said.

“This man (Lt Colonel Okuh) told somebody that from Jaji upward, he was posted to contain the areas for 2015. He privately told somebody.
We have confirmed that one Lt Colonel Okuh personally killed some of the victims, including my sons. My sons and some of the victims were tortured to death. They were taken alive to their Basawa barracks and tortured to death because there were signs of electric shock on some of the corpses, according to doctors,” Sheikh Zakzaky added.

He said: “It would surprise you to know that there was even a roadside beggar among those that were killed. There was even one Mr. Nyanwu, about 68-year-old, who was also killed because he simply cautioned them on how they were killing innocent people. Because of that they shot him to death. So, it is not about Shiites-soldiers clash but killing of armless and defenseless people.”

Some residents told Weekly Trust of their encounter with Okuh to corroborate what Sheikh Zakzaky said.

“This man (Lt Col. Okuh) is well known to many people. For instance, there was a time he came to our filling station during the recent fuel scarcity to buy fuel. At that time, we didn’t have fuel in the station. The man insisted that we must get fuel for him. As a result of that he arrested our assistant manager and took him to the Basawa barracks. He ordered for his torture, and he was actually seriously tortured,” a resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said.

“In the process, he told our assistant manager that he can kill him and nothing would happen. In fact, he told him that he was posted to Zaria for an assignment to deal with some prominent personalities. He asked our assistant manager whether he was aware that a prominent cleric was killed recently in Zaria,” the resident added.

The colonel was also involved in another controversy recently in Zaria, Weekly Trust gathered. He stormed the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria with a military van full of armed soldiers to arrest four staff of the college and leveled them Boko Haram “simply because those staff were having some issues with the then rector of the college.”

One of the affected staff told Weekly Trust that when Okuh took some of them to the Basawa barracks, he intimidated and harassed them in his effort to frighten them to stop questioning some of the rector’s activities.

“In fact, this man went to the extent of telling us that if you didn’t change our steps, he would make our lives miserable over issues that we are not completely aware of. He told us that there was intelligence report against us. We wondered what link an army officer has with intelligence report on civilians. We felt there are appropriate security agencies to handle such issues. And there are laid down procedures of going about such issues. This is why we felt that the man was just invited by the then authorities of the college, because of kinship relationship, to act their script of intimidation,” the staff said, asking for anonymity.

Weekly Trust also gathered that there was a time Colonel Okuh’s action nearly resulted to violence at the Hanwa Juma’at mosque.
According to witnesses, he forced worshippers emerging from the Juma’at prayers to ‘frog jump.’
“This angered the worshippers and it nearly resulted to clash between them and soldiers. Intervention of some elders saved the situation,” one witness said.

However, in an interview with newsmen in Zaria, the first since the incident, spokesman Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, said all the issues being said about Okuh remain allegations. He said the army, as a disciplined institution, has a way of proving crisis like the one in Zaria without being prompted.

When asked why the DHQ was silent after about 33 people were alleged to have been killed by soldiers, Olukolade replied thus:
“We are not completely silent. The army headquarters have made a statement, which is proper and appropriate. We don’t just want to speak until we understand all that is involved. The headquarters was concerned because of the fact that we always cherish good relationship with the Nigerian public, and particularly Zaria being a home for the military in forms of training and interaction. We didn’t expect this degree of problem. This calls for a reason why we must find out what actually happened.”

He added that: “We still want to reassure the Zaria people that the Nigerian military has no problem with them as a people. We cherish the good relationship we have with people and we would continue to uphold it. In this particular instance, the preliminary understanding we have is that that thing was engineered and unfortunately it resulted to what it did.”

Olukolade noted that: “The troops were not out to attack innocent citizens. We would establish why anybody would dare, if it is true, to be shooting at soldiers. It has implications and it is very unfortunate. Let nobody under any reason or guise try to get the security agencies into unnecessary problem with the populace. That is the suggestion we would make at the moment.”
The defence spokesman said statements credited to Sheikh Zakzaky made them to believe that soldiers were shot at from the procession saying: “If you have read what the respected cleric said in his statement, he indicated that there were people among them who, for whatever reason, were attacking soldiers. That confirms some preliminary understanding we have of the situation. Why would any procession for whatever reason attack soldiers? We don’t think that is normal.”

On the alleged involvement of Lt Colonel Okuh, Olukolade said: “I am not aware that one of our officers masterminded the killings. These are the allegations that we would prove. If anybody is having issues with any of our officers, it should be reported. Any report that is formally reported, it would not be left alone.”

He added that: “Ordinarily, when there is an incident of this nature, without being prompted, the army has its own way of approaching and finding out what happened not until we are being prompted.

“Because of the fact that we are disciplined, that is why we need to investigate, to find out if it truly happened the way it has been reported. You must know that people report things from various perspectives and interests. We must ascertain that this thing really happened the way it is being reported; that is our interest.”

Olukolade reassured residents of Zaria and other Nigerians about their safety, but warned that anyone who dares to attack military personnel would have himself to blame.

“If nobody attacks soldiers, he has no cause to fear. If nobody designs to go and attack soldiers, he has no reason to fear. The public should dissuade them from going to attack soldiers or disturb the peace of the nation. Anybody who was worried, that is what he should do to save the situation,” he said.

As Nigerians await the military’s investigative panel to unravel the truth about the Quds day incident, the Shiites are still mourning the demise of the three sons of their leader and 30 other members.
Until proved otherwise, Sheikh Zakzaky and his followers believe that all the 33 victims were murdered in cold blood, and steps should be taken by the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/new-news/17212-quds-day-killings-more-facts-emerge

Zaria killings: Rights group says military can’t be judge in own case

Daily Trust

Published on Tuesday, 05 August 2014 05:00 Written by Misbahu Bashir, Kaduna

The Human Rights monitor yesterday said the case in which soldiers were accused of shooting to death three sons of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky should not be investigated by the military.

Executive Director of the group Barrister Festus Okoye said in a statement that considering the magnitude of the incident, the allegations and counter allegations and the number of persons that died, only an open and transparent inquiry will unearth the circumstances that led to the clash and the high number of deaths recorded.

Sheikh Zakzaky had accused soldiers of arresting his sons, Mahmoud Ibrahim Zakzaky, Ahmad Ibrahim Zakzaky and Hameed Ibrahim Zakzaky before killing them after a religious procession in Zaria, Kaduna state. About 33 people were said to have been killed including Zakzaky’s sons.
The defence headquarters in Abuja said it had launched an official inquiry into the killings.

“We are also of the view that since the army is one of the parties to the conflict and serious allegations have been made against some of its officers, they cannot be then investigator and a Judge in their own cause,” Okoye said in the statement.
The group suggests that the federal government should set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry with full powers to determine the circumstances that led to the violent clash between the sect and the military officers on the July 25, 2014 and the tragic loss of lives of members of the movement.

It said the Commission should determine who fired the first shot and the circumstances that led to the soldiers being at the vicinity within the period of the incident.

The group said only a transparent judicial process will assuage the feelings of all adding that present inquiry being conducted by the defense headquarters will not instill confidence in the parties involved.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/news/30845-zaria-killings-rights-group-says-military-can-t-be-judge-in-own-case

EXCLUSIVE: Sheikh El-Zakzaky Says Sect Will Seek Legal Redress Against Military Onslaught

Premium Times

July 31, 2014

Festus Owete

The sect was on a procession to mark the annual Quds day in Zaria when soldiers reportedly shot at them. But military authorities say the incident will be investigated before apportioning blames.

Islamic cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has said his group would employ legitimate peaceful and legal means to challenge the killing of 35 of its members by the Nigerian military last Friday rather than resort to violence like the extremist Boko Haram sect.

He said although the group was still bitter over the incident, it had accepted the incident as a spiritual test of the group and its leader.

Mr. El-Zakzaky described Islam as a religion of peace and said being a movement of peace, his organisation would never be provoked into taking arms against the Nigerian state and its innocent citizens.

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is far too peaceful, mature and organised to take the law into its hand to foment trouble, he said.

According to him, rather than resort to violence which could have fatal consequences on the country the group would take its case to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and other civl rights bodies for redress.

The organisation will also seek legal redress in court if necessary, the Islamic cleric said.

“We are very angry,” Mr. El-Zakzaky told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Wednesday. “Thirty-five members of our organisations were murdered by the military. It was a peaceful procession but they shot at our members unprovoked.

“But in spite of the tragedy, we will remain peaceful. Islam is a religion of peace. And we are organised. We are matured, and nobody can provoke us into violence.”

When asked if his angry members won’t be provoked into descending on the country like the Boko Haram sect, the cleric said his members are aware of examples of past Islamic prophets and leaders who were spiritually tested in various ways but who did not resort to violence or ungodly conducts.

The Boko Haram sect took up arms against the Nigerian state when its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was extrajudicially murdered by the Nigeria Police.

“So many things like that have happened to great servants of Allah in the past. Imam Khomeini’s (of Iran) sons were also killed, but he never lost focus. We will never lose focus. Why should we be provoked? We don’t attack, we only talk about faith and what we stand for. We are a peaceful people and no one can accuse us of ever instigating violence.”

Members of the sect were on a procession to mark the annual Quds day in Zaria when soldiers reportedly shot at them at the popular PZ roundabout in the city.

The crisis started when the soldiers allegedly tried to disperse the sect, which was denouncing Israeli’s attacks on Gaza.

Mr. Zakzaky’s three biological sons, Mahmud, Ahmad and Hamid as well as 32 other members of the Islamic Movement were shot dead.

Mahmud was a student of Almustapha University, Beirut, Ahmad a Chemical Engineering student of Shenyang University, China and Hamid an Aeronautical Engineering student of Xiang University, also in China.

A fourth son of the cleric, Ali, was shot in the leg. He survived, and is in hospital.

Mr. El-Zakzaky however told PREMIUM TIMES that five days after the incident neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor agents of the Federal Government has made public statements on the matter.

“The government is yet to contact me. As you know the President is yet to make any public statement on the matter. The Minister of Defence is also yet to do that. What has happened has happened. And people have been coming to see me,” he said.

He explained that his group was on a peaceful procession that day and did not in anyway provoke the soldiers.

However, Defence spokesman, Chris Olukolade, a major general said the military would investigate the matter to establish who was wrong.

He said soldiers do not take delight in killing anybody.

Mr. Olukolade added, “The people from within that crowd shot at soldiers. We don’t want to be drawn into any controversy. We are interested in ascertaining what really happened.”

The defence spokesperson however rejected Mr. El-Zakzaky’s claim that the military and the government had not reached out to him.

“On the day of the incident, the officers in Zaria met him, had discussions with him and even exchanged telephone numbers with him,” Mr. Olukolade said. “And we have since said we need to investigate what really happened that day so we know how to proceed.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said it was not true that the federal government had not contacted Mr. El-Zakzaky.

“That’s not true,” Mr. Abati said. “The incident occured on Friday. The National Security Adviser contacted him on Saturday and condoled him. He also assured him that the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

“The Chief of Army Staff has also initiated investigation into the incident.”

- See more at: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/165807-exclusive-sheikh-el-zakzaky-says-sect-will-seek-legal-redress-against-military-onslaught.html#sthash.inYQEpPA.dpuf

Investigating the Zaria Killings: The DHQ’s blunt blunder

By Ibrahim Usman

After days of silence, intense pressure from all quarters followed, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja decided to open up and said it is investigating the Zaria killings during the Quds Day procession.

Defence spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade said in a statement that, investigation was on regarding the “encounter between soldiers on routine patrol and members of Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria”.

I do not believe that the decision by the DHQ was out of sincere concern for the lives lost, as it was the case in other deadly events in which the Nigerian military was involved. I do not also believe that the so-called “taciturn posture” by the DHQ was based on “The need to calm the situation”, if anything rather, but to calm its nerves as a result of pressure from Nigerians and beyond. Having underplayed the gravity of the incident at the initial stage, as sin and shame swam about their souls, the DHQ decided to respond.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation will be, one thing is certain and established. The unfortunate event involved the armed Nigerian soldiers. Had this atrocity not been established through eye-witnesses accounts and the well-coordinated public relations of the Islamic Movement, it would passed like other sad episodes involving “unknown gunmen.” Blabber mouth Olukolade would have been telling the story of an “unknown gunmen killed Shiites on peaceful protest.”

Even before the inquiry was to begin, the DHQ had already insinuated the outcome. In an interview with newsmen in Zaria, the first since the incident, Major General Olukolade had indicated that the military was provoked, shot at and attacked by the peaceful protesters. While describing Sheikh Zakzaky as a “respected cleric”, his later press statement contradicted him: “Although the report of the preliminary investigation at the unit level has vehemently contradicted some of the issues raised by the leader of the group, in his statement, especially on the allegation of extra judicial killings, the higher Headquarters is conducting additional investigation on the incident to ascertain the claims in the preliminary reports from the unit level.” What a bundle of contradiction. It is obvious that Mr. Olukolade is speaking with his tongue in his cheeks.

Whether Olukolade believes what he has written or not, Sheikh Zakzaky remains a respected cleric and still commands respect among his contemporaries, the public and even his enemies can testify to his transparent honesty. He therefore can never double speak, tell lies or make false accusation. He is tested and trusted.

For the DHQ to claim that, the peaceful protesters under the spiritual guardianship of Sheikh Zakzaky had shot at or attacked them, which resulted to the so-called “encounter”, rendered it a laughing stock. The history of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in the last 35 years showed no record of violence or onslaught. Describing the peaceful attribute of Sheikh Zakzaky in the Daily Trust newspaper titled “Understanding the Zaria Massacre”, Dr. Kabir Mato says of the cleric: “…Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky, a peaceful Islamic personality who has been a victim of Nigerian state many a times. A leader of a sect that has often been provoked by the state and has remained calm and focused.”

If attacked, why did not the DHQ come up with proof of its causalities as immediately did the Islamic Movement? If attacked, did that gave the soldiers the license to open fire and kill over 30 people, tortured and maimed many? Is this the demonstration of military discipline Olukolade attributed to the Nigerian soldiers? This murder per excellence!

During condolence visit to Sheikh Zakzaky at his residence in Zaria, group chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda Isaiah, has this to say: “If all clerics are like Sheikh Zakzaky, the world would have been a very good place to live. He possessed all the necessary leadership attributes, the way he remained calm and focused in the face of provocation and great moment of trial. If he had lost control, we would not have been here alive talking.” We have heard similar comments from Christians whom had commiserated with the Sheikh. Therefore, we do not need anyone from the DHQ to tell us how respected Sheikh Zakzaky is, and later contradicts himself.

The statement by Olukolade further said: “Accordingly, the higher level of military enquiry is with a view to unmasking the remote and immediate causes of the incident and to identify anyone found culpable,” adding that “those apprehended during the incident are being interrogated.” In any “encounter” or “clash”, suspects from the warring factions are apprehended for interrogation or investigation. In this case, those apprehended for interrogation were the peaceful protesters, members of the Islamic Movement, while none from the side of the soldiers was questioned.

Olukolade had exonerated the military from all blame by describing them as “disciplined”. In fact, the man fingered for masterminding the gruesome massacre, Lt. Colonel Okuh of the Basawa Barrack in Zaria, was exonerated by the DHQ even before the investigation had begun. “I am not aware that one of our officers masterminded the killings. These are the allegations...” retorted Olukolade. He gave the man a soft cover despite all public complaints against him, as reported in the media.

The DHQ should have known better that, they are up against a mass movement with conscience and focus. Quds Day procession is a global event, being observed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. In Kaduna, Pastor Yohanna Buru participated in the procession. Why would the one in Zaria be different? During the military massacre on that day in Zaria, even non-Muslims were murdered. We are also aware that the blood thirsty aggressors were not “soldiers on routine patrol” as Olukolade wants us to believe, but a special killer squad within the Nigerian military with a heinous, insidious and sinister agenda in Zaria.

For now, the DHQ, rather than trying “to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident”, it is trying to entangle itself from the tight situation if found itself. The world is fully aware of what happened; the blood of innocent citizens is stamped on its hands.

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1235:investigating-the-zaria-killings-the-dhqs-blunt-blunder&catid=41:frontpage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1sq23amdyU

Having watched this short video footage, though by no means a comprehensive coverage of the whole incidence; nonetheless there is enough to get a glimpse into what really happened.

OBSERVATION:
There was no evidence of anyone among the civilians bearing arms against the soldiers.
There was no evidence of aggression, verbal or in otherwise, from among any member from the crowd against the soldiers.
There was no evidence that suggested the soldiers were in any danger or harms way from the dispersed crouching crowd.
You could clearly see some armed soldiers taking up positions and stalking targets from among the crowd
You could clearly hear several gunshots - presumably being fired by the soldiers
You could clearly see a dead or wounded civilian lying in the street and also hear voices from the crowd encouraging others to retrieve the victim, even as the firing continued; you could also see a close up of another bleeding victim being taken away on a motorcycle - confirming their were casualties.

CONCLUSION:
The Nigerian Army has a case to answer for excessive use of deadly force, neither was there justification for the resulting casualty (even in the face of provocation as alleged) because it was not as if the soldiers were cornered, without an escape route that they had to fight their way out to reach safety - they could easily have retreated back to their barracks and let the police do their assigned constitutional duty.

It would appear that the army is trying very hard exonerate itself from this incidence - though I wonder how it could manage do so; given the availability of such (and probably more similar) footage along with several eye witness account.

I was also amused to note Nairaland's own contribution to this end, as it quickly removed a thread on the incidence as soon as it noted the thread title also identified the tribe of the alleged murdering army officer (as Igbo) - yes, if anyone is doubting here is the link, try and see if you can still access it.SMH.

https://www.nairaland.com/1832750/brig-gen-okuh-shot-sons

CAN condemns Zaria killings, condoles Islamic cleric, El-Zakzaky

on July 28, 2014

Abuja – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed sadness over the clashes in Zaria, Kaduna State, which claimed some lives, including the son of a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the association was particularly saddened by the aftermath of the incident.Oritsejafor urged the people of area to remain law-abiding and allow the relevant authorities to take charge of the situation.He also urged them to exercise restraint and live peacefully with one another.“I particularly commiserate with the scholar over the loss of his son, and appeal to him to take solace in God who knows all things.“The demise of the scholar’s son is most unfortunate and regrettable particularly at a time when the energy and wise counsel of all in the society is needed to tame insecurity,’’ Oritsejafor said.He also appealed to Nigerians to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of their religious, ethnic and political differences.The CAN president reiterated his earlier call for Nigerians to give useful information to security agents as they try their best to tackle insurgency.Oritsejafor also condemned Sunday’s bomb blast that killed worshippers in a Catholic Church in Kano, and described the attack as barbaric and inhuman.He commiserated with families of the deceased, and called on Nigerians to be security- conscious and cooperate with security agencies in their efforts to curtail the situation. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/can-condemns-zaria-killings-condoles-islamic-cleric-el-zakzaky-bookmark/#sthash.qapD8Rcr.dpuf

Zaria Killings: Network for Justice Flays Army

The story below was published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, August 7, 2014, written by Safiya Abdurahman
A human and consumer rights association, the Network for Justice, has condemned the recent killings by the military in Zaria where more than 30 civilians were shot dead.

Executive Director of the association, A.S. Mohammed said in a statement that the actions of the military were unacceptable even in war situation.

“Such conducts by the military who are expected to exhibit very high level of professionalism and patriotism makes the institution lose its respect and support among the public especially in a city like Zaria which has historically hosted important institutions of the Nigerian Army,” the statement said.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky came under gun fire from soldiers on July 25 during a pro-Palestinian rally in Zaria.

Three sons of Sheikh Zakzaky were among the 33 who were killed in the incident.

The Network for Justice said “Such actions ridicule the government and military of Nigeria as being lawless, uncivilized and criminal in the eyes of the international community.”

It demanded that President Goodluck Jonathan establishes “a high powered judicial commission of inquiry to look into this unfortunate incident,” without which “the Federal Government is at risk of being charged to the International Criminal Court for condoning war crimes in a nation that has been traumatised by insurgency, terrorism, and violent crimes.”

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1266:zaria-killings-network-for-justice-flays-army&catid=41:frontpage

Nigerian Army Writes Fake Security Report To Justify Killings—Zakzaky

by SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK

Aug 10, 2014

More than 35 Shiites, including the sheik’s three sons, were killed by soldiers in a series of attacks the sect said were unprovoked and unjustified. Members of the sect were carrying out a peaceful march to exhibit solidarity with the Palestinian people when Nigerian troops reportedly attacked them, killing men, women and children, including a nursing mother and her baby.


Mahmud El-Zakzakky was murdered by Nigerian troops
Photo Credit:Sahara Reporters Media

Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, the spiritual leader of a Shiite Islamic sect whose members were recently shot dead by Nigerian soldiers, has accused a Nigerian army officer of fabricating a security report in order to justify the killings.

More than 35 Shiites, including the sheik’s three sons, were killed by soldiers in a series of attacks the sect said were unprovoked and unjustified. Members of the sect were carrying out a peaceful march to exhibit solidarity with the Palestinian people when Nigerian troops reportedly attacked them, killing men, women and children, including a nursing mother and her baby.

In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, August 10, 14, Sheik Zakzaky described the ostensible army report as not only misleading but also a misrepresentation and cheap blackmail.

“In a bid to cover up the crime committed by the Nigerian soldiers on peaceful Quds Day Procession in Zaria in which the soldiers, under Lieutenant Colonel S.O. Okuh, killed over 35 people, the Depot HQ of [the] Nigerian Army sent a memo to the Nigerian Army HQ DIV1, on the Quds Day crime, with a copy sent to the office of Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

“The memo signed by Brigadier General B.A. Fiboiumama with Special SITREP No 04/14 and with title 'Religious Disturbance' states that:

‘AT ABOUT 251545A July 14 A ZARIA-BASED ISLAMIC CLERIC AND LDR OF SHIITE SHEIK EL ZAKZAKI AND HIS FOLLOWERS UNLAWFULLY ENGAGED IN AN ACT OF CIVIL DISTURBANCE WHILE PROTESTING ONGOING CONFLICT BETWEEN STATE OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE. THE SECT MEMBERS ARMED WITH DANGEROUS WPNS ATTK INNOCENT CIVS INCL SLDRS OF 11 FER. SECT MEMBERS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO DISARM SOME OF THE SLDRS. TPS ON GRD RESPONDED IN SELF-DEF AND ENGAGED THEM IN EXCHANGE OF GUN FIRE. REINFORCEMENT SENT BY DEPOT NA IMM. SIT. ENFORCE. KIA 10. WIA 2. PW13. 1 X AMB CAPTURED. OWN FORCE KIA NIL. WIA. NIL. OWN EQPT CAS. NIL OWN TPS STILL DOMINATING THE AREA. SIT UNDER CONTROL. PROGRESS RPT TO FOL ASP. TPS MORALE AND ALERTNESS REMAIN HIGH. PLS ACK////"


A copy of Nigerian Army report described as fake by Sheikh El-Zakzakky
Photo Credit:Sahara Reporters Media

Describing the report as false, the sheik said, “From the above memo one can deduce that Depot HQ covered up the crime committed by the Nigerian soldiers in Zaria where they attacked and killed over 33 people during Quds Day Procession—a procession which has been taking place in Zaria and other cities for 32 consecutive years peacefully. The Army Depot accused whom they called 'Shiites' of civil disturbance—an accusation which is baseless for obvious reasons.

“The worst is the accusation that the 'Shiites' were carrying dangerous weapons and attacked civilians and even soldiers; they attempted to disarm some of the soldiers and the soldiers responded in self-defense by engaging them in exchange of gunfire! This type of allegation is the most unfortunate from the Nigerian Army. We think setting up an independent body to investigate the matter would be the best option. What is clear is that crimes against humanity and extra-judicial killings by the Nigerian soldiers [were] even recently labeled against [the] Nigerian Army by Amnesty International.”


Three sons of El-Zakzaky murdered by Nigerian troops during a peaceful procession in Zaria
Photo Credit:Islamic Movement of Nigeria


Ali Zakzaky sustained bullet wounds, now receiving treatment in the hospital
Photo Credit:Sahara Reporters Media

http://saharareporters.com/2014/08/10/nigerian-army-writes-fake-security-report-justify-killings%E2%80%94zakzaky

Case closed!
Troops still dominating the area. Morale and alertness remain high!

Meanwhile how did you come in possession of classified military document?

You dey form boko haram.
Because Boko Haram dey poke hand into soldier eye,
Zak Zacheus wan poke too.
Na so Lastma and BRT wan try soldier for Lagos.
If you want to form Boko Haram, get ready first.

Quds Day massacre in Nigeria

by Zafar Bangash

August, 2014


The Nigerian regime of Goodluck Jonathan is not only corrupt but also completely subservient to the zionists. To prove loyalty to his masters, his army perpetrated a bloodbath of peaceful participants in the Quds day rally.

Zionist brutalities against defenceless Palestinians are bad enough; in some countries the regimes try to obstruct those that want to protest such crimes against humanity. Then there are other regimes that shoot and kill innocent protesters. This is what happened in Zaria, Nigeria where the army opened fire on peaceful Quds Day protesters on July 25 and killed 25 of them instantly. Scores of others were injured while at least 12 people were arrested. They were all shot dead at the military compound before handing over their bodies to the families. Why the Nigerian military perpetrated the massacre of innocent civilians?

Nigeria’s clownish President Goodluck Jonathan—he has brought anything but luck to the people of Nigeria—is a Zionist puppet. There is massive corruption in the country with Jonathan and his cronies stealing billions from oil revenues. Nigeria has the potential to be the power engine of Africa but its hapless people have been reduced to penury.

He is determined to instigate religious warfare between the Muslim majority and the Christian minority. The terrorist group Boko Haram is aided and abetted by his regime in order to demonize Islam and Muslims. Jonathan himself is a Christian as are most of the senior officers in the Nigerian military. It would not, however, matter whether the officers are Christian or Muslim; their commitment is to their own personal interests and survival.

The Quds rally in Nigeria was organized by the Islamic movement of Nigeria led by Mallam Ibrahim al-Zakzaky. He has been an outspoken critic of both the regime’s corruption as well as Boko Haram. He lost three of his sons in the army shooting. Syed Mahmud Zakzaky was shot and martyred during the rally while another son was injured; two of his sons were arrested and later shot dead by the army together with other detainees. Nigerian forces then bombed a mosque in Zaria in which three persons were killed on July 26.

This was followed on July 29 by two suicide bombers attacking open air mosques used by Mallam Zakzaky’s followers in Potiskum in Yobe State. Eight people were killed in this twin attack that occurred during evening prayers. The attackers were members of Boko Haram terrorist outfit. The assault by the Nigerian military on a peaceful Quds rally on July 25 and four days later the twin suicide bombings by Boko Haram on mosques confirms the nexus between the regime and the terrorist outfit.

There were Quds Day rallies in other Nigerian cities as well like Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi and Potiskum. They all went off peacefully. It is clear that the regime was determined to attack the source: Mallam Zakzaky’s home base in Zaria in order to crush the growing strength of the movement. He was the target of this criminal attack but the Sheikh survived while losing three of his sons to the trigger happy soldiers that in any case have little regard for human life. Given the regime’s complicity in such crimes, the soldiers were even more aggressive in shooting and killing people. Among the dead were also a woman and the baby she was carrying on her back. Both were shot and killed.

There was a massive funeral procession for the Quds Day martyrs in Zaria on July 30. The mood of the mourners was sombre but defiant in the face of regime’s brutality against innocent civilians who were doing no more than expressing sympathy with the oppressed people of Gaza and drawing attention to the continued occupation of Masjid al-Aqsa and the Holy Land by the Zionist invaders.

Over the years, Quds Day rallies have attracted ever larger number of people in Nigeria. This year’s rally was particularly huge because of the ongoing Zionist assault on Gaza in which more than 1300 innocent Palestinians have been murdered since July 8. The exposure of Zionist crimes in Gaza and of Jonathan’s subservience to the Zionists in Occupied Palestine was something the corrupt Nigerian president was not prepared to tolerate any longer. In fact, the Nigerian regime felt vulnerable on three fronts: exposure of its massive corruption; its support for the terrorist group Boko Haram and exposure of its subservience to the Zionist regime. On the Corruption Index, Nigeria annually ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world. Goodluck Jonathan has done nothing to deal with the issue; in fact, it seems he does not even care. All he is interested in is keeping his grubby hands on the levers of power so that he and his cronies can continue to plunder state resources while keeping the overwhelming majority in extreme poverty.

Mallam Ibrahim Zakzaky is a charismatic leader who has spent many years in Nigeria’s notorious prisons under successive regimes. He has a huge following in the country and refuses to compromise with the country’s corrupt power brokers and rulers. He has not only called for investigation into official corruption but also demanded that people’s rights be respected. While this attracts ordinary people to his cause, it also arouses the wrath of the corrupt elements that feel vulnerable because increasing numbers of people are becoming aware of what is really going on in the country.

The Quds day rally massacre in Zaria is unlikely to deter committed Muslims from continuing their struggle. Instead, it will arouse greater awareness among the people and increase their hatred of a corrupt regime that is driving Nigeria into an endless cycle of violence and bloodshed. Neither the Nigerian military nor Boko Haram terrorists will be able to save the corrupt regime. In fact, it is difficult to tell which group is worse: Boko Haram or the Nigerian army in terms of killing innocent people.


http://www.crescent-online.net/2014/08/quds-day-massacre-in-nigeria-zafar-bangash-4581-articles.html

Nigerian army’s massacre of Quds rally participants

Crescent-online, July 30, 2014

The zionists are slaughtering innocent Palestinians in Gaza while their agents around the world are busy killing those that protest such crimes. This is what happened in Nigeria when the army opened fire on Quds Day rally participants killing 25 instantly. Another 12 people were arrested and executed at an army compound. The dead included three sons of Mallam Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic movement in Nigeria, Zaria.

What kind of an army would fire live ammunition on unarmed peaceful protesters drawing attention to the barbaric Zionist onslaught on defenceless Palestinians and to the continued occupation of Masjid al-Aqsa?

Why, the Nigerian army that has close links with the illegitimate Zionist regime in Occupied Palestine. On Juy 25, the Nigerian army opened fire on peaceful Quds Day protesters killing 25 of them instantly. Scores of others were injured while at least 12 were arrested.

Those arrested were taken to the army camp and shot dead there before handing their bodies over to the families.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a clownish figure who goes around in bowler hat imitating the white man, is a Zionist puppet. In fact, the zionists have infested Africa’s most important country and both are involved in instigating religious warfare with the specific aim of weakening the Muslim majority.

Nigeria is riddled with corruption; Jonathan and his cronies have stolen billions from oil revenues. The country has the potential to be the power engine of Africa but its hapless people have been reduced to penury.

The Quds Day rally was organized by the Islamic movement of Nigeria led by the charismatic Sheikh, Mallam Ibrahim al-Zakzaky. He has been an outspoken critic of both the regime’s corruption as well as the terrorist outfit Boko Haram.

He lost three of his sons in the army shooting. Syed Mahmud Zakzaky was shot and martyred during the rally while another son was injured; two of his sons were arrested and later shot dead by the army together with the other detainees. Nigerian forces then bombed a mosque in Zaria on July 26 killing three persons.

This was followed on July 29 by two suicide bombers attacking open air mosques used by Mallam Zakzaky’s followers in Potiskum in Yobe State. Eight people were killed in this twin attack that occurred during evening prayers. The attackers were members of the Boko Haram terrorist outfit.
The assault by the Nigerian military on a peaceful Quds rally on July 25 and four days later the twin suicide bombings by Boko Haram on mosques confirms the nexus between the regime and the terrorist outfit.

There were Quds Day rallies in other Nigerian cities as well like Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi and Potiskum. They all went off peacefully. It is clear that the regime was determined to attack the leader of the movement Mallam Zakzaky in order to crush the growing strength of the movement.

He was the primary target of this criminal attack but the Sheikh survived while losing three of his sons. Given the regime’s complicity in such crimes, the soldiers were even more aggressive in shooting and killing people. Among the dead were also a woman and the baby she was carrying on her back. Both were shot and killed.

There was a massive funeral for the Quds Day martyrs in Zaria on July 30. The mood of the mourners was sombre but defiant in the face of regime’s brutality against innocent civilians who were doing no more than expressing sympathy with the oppressed people of Gaza and drawing attention to the continued occupation of Masjid al-Aqsa and the Holy Land by the Zionist invaders.

Over the years, Quds Day rallies have attracted large numbers of people in Nigeria. This year’s rally was particularly huge because of the ongoing Zionist assault on Gaza in which more than 1300 innocent Palestinians have been murdered since July 8.

The exposure of Zionist crimes in Gaza and of Jonathan’s subservience to the Zionists in Occupied Palestine was something the corrupt Nigerian president was not prepared to tolerate. The Nigerian regime felt vulnerable on three fronts: exposure of its massive corruption; its support for the terrorist group Boko Haram and exposure of its subservience to the Zionist regime.

Nigeria is consistently ranked as the most corrupt country in the world on the International Corruption Index.

The Quds day rally massacre in Zaria is unlikely to deter committed Muslims from continuing their struggle. Instead, it will arouse greater awareness among the people and increase their hatred of a corrupt regime that is driving Nigeria into an endless cycle of violence and bloodshed.


Last Updated on Sunday, 10 August 2014 09:23

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1268:nigerian-armys-massacre-of-quds-rally-participants&catid=41:frontpage

Sheikh Zakzaky replies Colonel Benjamin

ZakzakyColonel L. Benjamin has written a letter inviting Sheikh Zakzaky to appear before his Military Board of Inquiry or send a representative. He is the chairman of the board.

The Sheikh sent a representation of Dr Abdullahi Danladi with three others to assist him. Also two human right activists followed them as observers. The sitting took place at Sabon Gari Local Government headquarters on Thursday 14 August 2014. It lasted for about four hours. Dr Danladi presented to the Colonel the Sheikh's reply to an earlier letter of invitation. It was read by all the four members of the military panel before commencing the sitting.

Sheikh Zakzaky's letter is self explanatory. It gave clear idea of the content of the colonel's earlier invitation. Here is the full text of the letter:


The Chairman 12th August, 2014
Board of Inquiry (BOI)
Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police
Sitting in Zaria
Dear Colonel,

Peace upon those who follow the guidance,

Re-Letter of Invitation

Your letter with above title is referred.

In it you invited me to either appear or send a representative to your board of inquiry “to unravel the circumstances that led to” what you called “exchange of fire” between soldiers and what you termed “followers of Shi’ah Islamic Sect” during a procession in Zaria!

Going through these lines it appears you have already written your report before making any inquiry. You have already concluded that there was an “exchange of fire” between two parties! On one part you have the soldiers and on another you have “followers” of a certain “sect”!

Please be informed that I do not believe in sect, I have never been a member or follower of a sect, I am not one and I will never ever be. Similarly all the thirty-three people murdered including my three undergraduate sons and over fourty injured are not followers of a sect. In none of my speeches or writings for the last fourty years one can deduce the idea of referring us to the idea of a sect. It will be mischief on the part of anyone to call us with names we do not call ourselves with.

As for International Quds Day celebrations participants cut across religions, faiths and ideologies. In Europe and the Americas participants include Muslims, Christian, Communists and even Jews including some Rabbis who support Palestine’s cause. In Nigeria Muslims and Christians including some pastors took part in the procession on 25th July 2014.

What took place in Zaria on that fateful day was a massacre by soldiers against citizens they were employed to protect. Anyone who attempts to cover up or justify the actions of these killer soldiers will be a partner in their crime.

While I do not expect you to be an umpire in investigating a crime committed by your colleagues in uniform, all the same, I am sending a representation of Dr Abdullahi Danladi, a University don, to be assisted by Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello, Chairman of Shuhada (Martyrs) Foundation, Dr Shuaibu Musa, a physician, and Barrister Bello Jahun, a legal practitioner.

I appreciate your kind regard and respect but I also expected a word of condolence.


Thanks.

Yours faithfully,

Ibraheem Zakzaky

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1277:sheikh-zakzaky-replies-colonel-benjamin&catid=35:news-display