The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated that if not for its quick intervention about 51 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria would have died in a tunnel in Zaria.

The executive secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, stated this when he inaugurated a special investigative panel to probe the circumstances that led to the bloody clash between Nigerian troops and members of the sect.

The clash which resulted to the death of about 65 persons and others sustaining injuries, Vanguard reports.

Angwe told reporters on Sunday, December 20, that few days after the clash, senior members of the sect came to the commission for help stating that some their members were trapped inside a tunnel in Zaria.
“On Monday, December 14, the office of the Chief of Army Staff reported the case of a clash between it and the Shiite sect at Zaria. Coincidentally, the media was awash with news about the unfortunate incident that occurred in Zaria allegedly leading to the loss of several lives and property.

“Later in the week, some followers of the Shiite sect sought the intervention of the commission for the release of some of their members trapped in a tunnel since the Sunday, December 13, incident.

“The commission quickly intervened. We requested the support of both the military and the Nigeria Police Force, an effort that eventually led to the rescue of about 51 members of the Shiite sect.

“Though I am happy with the timely intervention that led to the rescue of the trapped persons, however, this commission, in line with its mandate to receive complaints on human rights violation, monitor and investigate such allegations with a view to making appropriate determination in the circumstance, has decided to constitute a panel of investigation on the clashes between the Shiite and military that occurred in Zaria,” the commission boss said.

Meanwhile,the Shi’ite had described the recent ban on procession by the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai as a “show of hatred for the the sect.”

The sect described the governor’s action as anti-Shiite adding that “Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, it is clear that he is more like an extremist anti-Shi’ite Governor and not a state governor.”

source: https://www.naij.com/674286-zaria-clash-rescued-51-shiite-members-death-nhrc.html