₦airaland Forum

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

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

August 9, 2014 by Fisayo Falodi

Some stakeholders have asked the Federal Government to constitute a panel to investigate July 25, 2014 violence in Zaria, Kaduna State, in which 35 people, including the three sons of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, were allegedly killed by soldiers.

The stakeholders said that the army should not be allowed to investigate the incident because it could not be an umpire in a case in which it is involved.

They particularly asked the government to check arbitrary killing of innocent citizens by security personnel.

The stakeholders spoke following claims by El-Zakzaky that the Federal Government had yet to sympathise with him over his sons’ killing.

The sect leader, who alleged that his three undergraduate sons were specifically targeted by soldiers, denied that the group confronted the troops before the killing.

El-Zakzaky said he was angry over the incident, but vowed to remain peaceful.

The army, speaking through its spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the military would investigate the issue, adding that soldiers do not take delight in killing innocent people.

Describing the killing as painful, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, particularly said that El-Zakzaky would stand by his statement.

Oloyede, who spoke during the week with Saturday PUNCH on the telephone, said he was on his way to condole with the Sheikh.

He said, “El-Zakzaky is an upright Muslim; he must act according to the Islamic tenet. Accepting to seek redress through peaceful means is a painful thing to do.

“I personally share his pain; I have known him for 40 years and I am sure he means what he said. The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs will want the Federal Government to set up a commission of inquiry to probe the killing. It is not enough for the army to claim that it will investigate the matter because the army cannot be an umpire in a case that involves it.

The governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said El-Zakzaky’s anger was justified, but his decision to tow the path of peace to seek redress was commendable.

Musa said the killing had serious implication for the nation’s leaders, both political and religious.

The Christian Association of Nigeria also aligned with other stakeholders, saying the government ought to have sympathised with the bereaved Sheikh.

CAN Chairman in Osun State, Revd Elisha Ogundiya, said, “Losing three children to killing could be painful; it is not always easy to lose one’s children. Government, whether local, state or federal should have shown concern to appease the bereaved.”

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

http://www.punchng.com/news/stakeholders-task-fg-over-el-zakzaky-sons-killing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3K5uWjSQXs

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has told an exiled Nigerian gay activist that he has the right to challenge his homeland’s anti-gay law in court in a confrontation at a $200 a head dinner in Washington DC.

Jonathan was attending a dinner on Wednesday night hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa and the US Chamber of Commerce held during the US-Africa Leaders Summit when he was confronted by gay Nigerian refugee and activist Micheal Ighodaro about his country’s anti-gay laws.

Ighodaro told Buzzfeed that President Jonathan told him, ‘The situation of homosexuals in Nigeria is delicate, but during this week the topic has come up a lot and it is something we will continue to look into, especially the attacks.’

‘If you think the law is unconstitutional you have the right to go to court and fight [to strike] it down.’

President Jonathan seemed to also address the issue during a speech at the dinner where he said, ‘I cannot end my remarks without making reference to two issues that my ambassador here is spending much of his time explaining to you … about the issue of sexuality in the country.

‘Let me reassure you that, well, of course we have challenges. The issue of terror [is] very very negative for us, come to torment so many countries, and … we are receiving our fair share of terror in the local [group] called Boko Haram, that’s recently has been taking some school girls. But we are working very hard to bring it under control, and surely we’ll bring it under control.’

However he did not elaborate how his government would address the ‘challenge’ of sexuality.

Jonathan signed into law in January some of the most draconian laws criminalizing homosexuality on the planet with providing any kind of support or positive depiction of homosexuality made a crime along with entering into a same-sex marriage.

Ighodaro was forced to flee Nigeria in 2012 after a homophobic attack left him with a broken hand and ribs and today he is a fellow at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in New York.

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

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

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

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

if it was only passing that these soldiers wanted, and they did not have any other motives to spill blood, the soldiers would have taken an alternative route or exercise patience. otherwise, it is obvious that they valued their ego and right to pass more than the lives of these Nigerians. if they were not armed with tear gas and other non-lethal means to disperse protesters, the soldiers should have exercised restraint, change their route, waited or call in for the police to disperse the protesters with what would possibly see no one killed. it is better to spare the life of a human being than to kill him/her in order to pass or display power.

himkers: mofons. And they didnt utter a word when all the churches and christians in the north were being bombed and maimed

Iran Condemns Boko Haram Abduction of More Nigerians

Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:6

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham strongly condemned abduction of 60 women and girls by Boko Haram terrorist group, a Wahhabi Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, as an inhumane act.
"Iran condemns the recent abduction of 60 girls by Boko Haram terrorist grouplet in Nigeria as an inhumane action," Afkham told reporters during a weekly press briefing here in Tehran on Wednesday.

She expressed sympathy for the families of those abducted by the terrorist group, and expressed the hope that they would be set free in the near future.

The Iranian spokeswoman further expressed concern over the spread of terrorist operations throughout the world which have led to increasing insecurity and concern among different communities.

Afkham asked for strong action in confrontation against terrorism, saying, "Serious measures should be adopted for the problem of terrorism which has no boundaries and involves all fields."

At least 91 people – more than 60 women and girls, and 31 schoolboys – were abducted last week by suspected Boko Haram militants, two months after the terror group kidnapped more than 300 schoolgirls in northeastern Nigeria, according to witnesses.

Local media reported about 60 people were abducted in attacks on villages south of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, between Thursday and Saturday.

The attack comes as more than 270 schoolgirls are still being held by Boko Haram more than two months after their abductions from a school in Chibok town in April. Several dozen of the girls managed to escape.

About 30 people were reported to have been killed by the extremists in the latest attack. Elderly residents fled their homes, trekking 15 miles to seek help.

Among those abducted by gunmen were women with young children and babies – a common occurrence in Borno state since last year, Nigeria’s Premium Times reported.

Boko Haram, a violent a Wahhabi Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting for an Islamic state in Nigeria based on Salafi-Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam, stepped up its attacks beginning five years ago and has recently launched violent raids on villages, markets, bus stations, churches and schools.

Nigeria has also seen bomb attacks on soccer fans watching World Cup soccer matches at public soccer viewing venues, which have been blamed on Boko Haram.

Last week’s attacks were on Kummabza, Yaga and Dagu, in the Damboa local government area, according to witnesses cited in local media reports.

Nigerian local and federal government officials and police haven’t confirmed the reports. But Premium Times quoted an unnamed federal security official who confirmed the abductions took place, while a village councilor confirmed the kidnappings to Associated Press.

Attacks on villages in northeastern Nigeria have been occurring almost daily, with Nigeria’s army seemingly incapable of enforcing security in vast swaths of the country.

Following the attacks Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed sympathy for the bereaved families of those killed or injured in the attacks staged by Boko Haram, and deplored terrorism and extremism.

"We condemn extremism and terrorism and sympathize with the victims of the crimes committed by Boko Haram terrorist group," Zarif said, addressing a ceremony hosted by the Iranian foreign ministry to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the African Union (AU) in Tehran in late May.

He said that the goal of the terrorist groups is defaming different religions.

His remarks were made as the United Nations imposed sanctions on Boko Haram, blacklisting it as an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization as protesters stepped up demands on Nigeria to release more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by the terrorist group in April.

The abductions of the Chibok schoolgirls put intense international pressure on Nigeria’s government and military to recover the girls and restore security in the northeast. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a chilling video in which he threatened to sell the schoolgirls into slavery.

Boko Haram has demanded the release of prisoners in return for surrendering the Chibok girls but Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has ruled out negotiating with terrorists. Military commanders have said a military-style rescue is impractical because it would result in the deaths of many of the hostages.

Given the deadlock, Nigerians are questioning how the girls will be released.

Following the abduction of Chibok girls, the Iranian foreign ministry deplored the Boko Haram's kidnapping of the school girls, and called it an inhumane move.

She expressed concern about the abduction of the Nigerian girls, and said, "We completely reject this inhumane act as an unacceptable move and we hope that action will be adopted to prevent operation of extremist groups and terrorists in Nigeria and the world and we hope that stability and tranquility will be established in that country at the earliest."

Then a few days later, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian voiced Tehran's readiness to help the Nigerian government and nation free the kidnapped girls.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to extend any kind of help to the Nigerian government and nation to resolve this problem," Amir Abdollahian said in a meeting with Nigerian Ambassador to Tehran Tukur Mani in late May.

Also in similar remarks later in May, Director-General of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Department for African Affairs Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi underlined Tehran's readiness to help the Nigerian government free the school girls who have been abducted by Boko Haram.

Mohammad Nasrabadi made the remarks addressing an International Conference on ˈUnity against Terrorism and Extremism' in Tehran to deplore prolongation of ordeal of the Nigerian kidnapped girls.

He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to extend technical assistance to the Nigerian government to help release of the kidnapped girls.

Mohammadi Nasrabadi accused Boko Haram of trying to spread Islamophobia throughout the world.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930404000902

Fri Aug 1, 2014 12:30AM GMT

Iran has summoned Nigeria's charge d'affaires in protest at the recent killing of a group of demonstrators participating in the International Quds Day rallies, which were held in support of the Palestinian nation.

On Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry called in the Nigerian official, condemning the attack and calling on the Nigerian government to identify and punish the perpetrators of the gruesome act.

The Nigerian chargé d'affaires also expressed regret over the deadly attack and promised that Abuja would investigate the incident.

He added that the Nigerian government has also condemned this attack and a joint fact-finding committee is scheduled to be set up soon to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this incident.

Some 25 Nigerian demonstrators were gunned down by security forces during the anti-Israeli rally in the ancient city of Zaria in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on July 25.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian censured the deadly attack, saying, “Whatever the justification, attacking peaceful demonstrators rallying along with other Muslims across the world in support of the oppressed people of Gaza is condemned and unacceptable."

In August 1979, the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, declared the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan the International Quds Day.

During the rallies marking the Quds Day, demonstrators across the world call for the liberation of Palestine and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

More than 1,437 Palestinians have so far been killed and over 8,000 others injured since the Israeli military first launched its offensive on Gaza on July 8.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has been launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

While Tel Aviv confirms 56 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the war, Hamas sources put the number at over 130.

IA/MHB/SS

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/08/01/373560/iran-summons-nigerian-charge-daffaires/

PRESS RELEASE: Cold Blooded Murder of people

In the name of Allah, the All-beneficent the All-merciful.

It is with the saddest emotion and complete trust, and patience with Allah’s trials and tribulations, that we register our dismay and sadness over the ungodly, wicked, and gruesome cold-blooded murder of 36 members of the Islamic Movement, including children and women, killed by the Nigeria Military forces on Friday 25th July 2014 during a peaceful procession to mark the International Quds day.

International Quds Day, a day set aside - the last Friday of Ramadan - by the late revolutionary leader and reformer, Ayatollah Ruhollah Al-Musavi Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) in 1979 to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the guardianship of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has ever since then marked the event peacefully across the country.

Undoubtedly,the International Quds Day is marked by people with conscience across the globe, as well as by those with humanity in their hearts as a show of their solidarity to the long suffering Palestinians. The latter are not only held hostage, but are daily killed or maimed physically, psychologically, socially and economically while the World watches in silence.

This year’s Quds day, came at time when Gaza has been under Israeli shelling and bombardment leading to the killing of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children. Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria across the country joined the International community to mark this special day as is their annual tradition. It ended peacefully, as usual, in all parts of the country except in Zaria, where the peaceful procession was brutally attacked by soldiers.This callous attack on defenseless and peaceful civilians on a procession by the Nigerian military, on Friday 25th July 2015, in Zaria is a direct assault on their fundamental human rights, since they have the right to peaceful protest and the right to peaceful assembly, as enshrined in our constitution and the various national and international protocols and agreements. This heartless attack by soldiers on innocent civilians showing solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, is a direct pointer to the fact that the Nigeria military is simply the hunting dogs of the illegitimate state of Israel.

The manner in which this attack was carried out also shows that, it was a premeditated plan to create Borno-styled chaos and anarchy or insurgency in Zaria, so they could then come in the name of fighting "Boko Haram". This daylight commando-style attack on innocent civilians reflects the style of the Zionist state of Israel against innocent and defenseless civilians in Gaza, and indeed in the whole of Palestine.

We are clearly convinced that the soldiers who carried out this gruesome murder of innocent civilians were acting on a premeditated and organised command from Abuja. The targeting and killing of three (3) innocent children of our revered leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) - Ahmad , Hamid and Mahmud - and some other 33 members by soldiers reflect the general anger and frustration of the Nigerian state, acting on the instructions of the Zionist institution. This is their frustration with the rising profile and reawakening of Islamic consciousness and heritage pioneered and guided by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H).

Since the past three decades, undoubtedly, when out of Allah’s mercies, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) came to salvage this land of lost opportunity called Nigeria, the "International Arrogance" and "World Zionists" had sought to put off this light. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has been a constant target of arrest, intimidation, imprisonments, coercion and assassination attempts. It was only Allah, however, who continues to protect and help him against the evil machinations of Zionists and their proxies in Nigeria. The gruesome murder of his children, whom they captured alive but killed in detention, reflects the growing frustration of these Zionists through their puppet government and agents. This cold-blooded murders on Friday 25th July 2015 raises some fundamental questions begging for answers:

For what crime were Sheikh Zakzaky’s children killed?

What is the crime of the innocent civilians on procession to warrant their murder?

Even if participating in a procession was a crime, is it punishable by killing without trial?

Why was Zaria singled out for the extra-judicial killings out of the over 22 towns the same procession took place in Nigeria?

Is it the duty of the Military to handle civil unrest or arrest or disperse civilians peacefully gathered together?

Who gave the Military the right to shoot and kill civilians without conviction in a competent law court?

If the Military feels so strong and have this much desire to kill, why have they not gone to where people are fighting them with arms?

These gruesome murders are simply an act of cowardice!

Therefore, after careful appraisals of events and the senseless and unjust killings of 25th July 2014, we have come to the following resolutions:

1. Academic Forum strongly condemns this barbaric, wicked, senseless and gruesome murder of the three children of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) and some 33 other of his followers by the Nigerian military.

2. We sincerely condole with our teacher, mentor, and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), and His wife, Malama Zeenah Ibraheem, over the unfortunate events on Friday 25th July 2014. No doubt; it is a sad moment for all of us and we sincerely regret our inability to be a shelter and shield to these leaders of ours in this most important moment of our lives.

3. That, the show of force and shooting practice the Nigerian military forces exhibited, is a direct reflection of the general hatred, wickedness, frustration and desperation of the military against our leader, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and the religion of Islam in Africa, as being revived by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky for the last three decades. The wanton killings and target of assassinations are a direct reflection of these wickedness and depression.

4. Nigerians must now appreciate years of warnings and preaching of the Sheikh, that Nigerian security agencies are the sponsors and master-minds of all the insurgency we have been witnessing in the name of "Boko Haram".

5. The Friday 25th event has finally proven to all gullible Nigerians that the Military are responsible for all the killings of innocent civilians and destruction of properties in the country in the name of fighting insurgency.

6. The military institutions and security agencies are mere tools in the hands of their masters in the United States of America and the illegal state of Israel.

7. That the attack and the gruesome murders of children and followers of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) were premeditated and were executed by the military with orders from Abuja.

8.That the gruesome and cold-blooded murder of His Eminence’s children and followers must be viewed as crime against humanity.

9. We call on Muslims to reflect on this Black Friday event, and to close ranks and build unity against the growing conspiracy and quest to annihilate the rise of Islam. This is the time to reflect and build solidarity and brotherhood among each other to salvage Islam from the onslaught and growing sponsored killings and destruction.

10. We are also urging Muslims, in general, and members of the Islamic Movement, in particular, to move closer to Allah (SWT) and to strengthen their relationship with Him and seek His repentance in this trying time.

In conclusion therefore, we hold the Nigerian government responsible for these gruesome murders. We demand that the government comes out to offer explanation as to what happened. An independent panel of enquiry must investigate these killings with a view to bring all those responsible to book. We demand that all our brothers and sisters still being held be released unconditionally and immediately.

Inherently, Friday 25th July 2014 no doubt has finally nailed the coffins of the myth of who the original "Boko Harams" are in Nigeria. The manner and conduct of the military and the killings on Friday 25th July 2014 will remain a sad day in the life of Muslims and non Muslims in general.

The ACADEMIC FORUM OF THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA (AFIMN)

Signed

S.I. Ahmad

Shuaibahmad105@gmail.com

afimn14@gmail.com

30/07/2014

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1218:press-release-cold-blood-murder-of-people&catid=41:frontpage

PRESS RELEASE: Cold Blooded Murder of people

In the name of Allah, the All-beneficent the All-merciful.

It is with the saddest emotion and complete trust, and patience with Allah’s trials and tribulations, that we register our dismay and sadness over the ungodly, wicked, and gruesome cold-blooded murder of 36 members of the Islamic Movement, including children and women, killed by the Nigeria Military forces on Friday 25th July 2014 during a peaceful procession to mark the International Quds day.

International Quds Day, a day set aside - the last Friday of Ramadan - by the late revolutionary leader and reformer, Ayatollah Ruhollah Al-Musavi Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) in 1979 to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the guardianship of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has ever since then marked the event peacefully across the country.

Undoubtedly,the International Quds Day is marked by people with conscience across the globe, as well as by those with humanity in their hearts as a show of their solidarity to the long suffering Palestinians. The latter are not only held hostage, but are daily killed or maimed physically, psychologically, socially and economically while the World watches in silence.

This year’s Quds day, came at time when Gaza has been under Israeli shelling and bombardment leading to the killing of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children. Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria across the country joined the International community to mark this special day as is their annual tradition. It ended peacefully, as usual, in all parts of the country except in Zaria, where the peaceful procession was brutally attacked by soldiers.This callous attack on defenseless and peaceful civilians on a procession by the Nigerian military, on Friday 25th July 2015, in Zaria is a direct assault on their fundamental human rights, since they have the right to peaceful protest and the right to peaceful assembly, as enshrined in our constitution and the various national and international protocols and agreements. This heartless attack by soldiers on innocent civilians showing solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, is a direct pointer to the fact that the Nigeria military is simply the hunting dogs of the illegitimate state of Israel.

The manner in which this attack was carried out also shows that, it was a premeditated plan to create Borno-styled chaos and anarchy or insurgency in Zaria, so they could then come in the name of fighting "Boko Haram". This daylight commando-style attack on innocent civilians reflects the style of the Zionist state of Israel against innocent and defenseless civilians in Gaza, and indeed in the whole of Palestine.

We are clearly convinced that the soldiers who carried out this gruesome murder of innocent civilians were acting on a premeditated and organised command from Abuja. The targeting and killing of three (3) innocent children of our revered leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) - Ahmad , Hamid and Mahmud - and some other 33 members by soldiers reflect the general anger and frustration of the Nigerian state, acting on the instructions of the Zionist institution. This is their frustration with the rising profile and reawakening of Islamic consciousness and heritage pioneered and guided by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H).

Since the past three decades, undoubtedly, when out of Allah’s mercies, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) came to salvage this land of lost opportunity called Nigeria, the "International Arrogance" and "World Zionists" had sought to put off this light. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has been a constant target of arrest, intimidation, imprisonments, coercion and assassination attempts. It was only Allah, however, who continues to protect and help him against the evil machinations of Zionists and their proxies in Nigeria. The gruesome murder of his children, whom they captured alive but killed in detention, reflects the growing frustration of these Zionists through their puppet government and agents. This cold-blooded murders on Friday 25th July 2015 raises some fundamental questions begging for answers:

For what crime were Sheikh Zakzaky’s children killed?

What is the crime of the innocent civilians on procession to warrant their murder?

Even if participating in a procession was a crime, is it punishable by killing without trial?

Why was Zaria singled out for the extra-judicial killings out of the over 22 towns the same procession took place in Nigeria?

Is it the duty of the Military to handle civil unrest or arrest or disperse civilians peacefully gathered together?

Who gave the Military the right to shoot and kill civilians without conviction in a competent law court?

If the Military feels so strong and have this much desire to kill, why have they not gone to where people are fighting them with arms?

These gruesome murders are simply an act of cowardice!

Therefore, after careful appraisals of events and the senseless and unjust killings of 25th July 2014, we have come to the following resolutions:

1. Academic Forum strongly condemns this barbaric, wicked, senseless and gruesome murder of the three children of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) and some 33 other of his followers by the Nigerian military.

2. We sincerely condole with our teacher, mentor, and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), and His wife, Malama Zeenah Ibraheem, over the unfortunate events on Friday 25th July 2014. No doubt; it is a sad moment for all of us and we sincerely regret our inability to be a shelter and shield to these leaders of ours in this most important moment of our lives.

3. That, the show of force and shooting practice the Nigerian military forces exhibited, is a direct reflection of the general hatred, wickedness, frustration and desperation of the military against our leader, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and the religion of Islam in Africa, as being revived by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky for the last three decades. The wanton killings and target of assassinations are a direct reflection of these wickedness and depression.

4. Nigerians must now appreciate years of warnings and preaching of the Sheikh, that Nigerian security agencies are the sponsors and master-minds of all the insurgency we have been witnessing in the name of "Boko Haram".

5. The Friday 25th event has finally proven to all gullible Nigerians that the Military are responsible for all the killings of innocent civilians and destruction of properties in the country in the name of fighting insurgency.

6. The military institutions and security agencies are mere tools in the hands of their masters in the United States of America and the illegal state of Israel.

7. That the attack and the gruesome murders of children and followers of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) were premeditated and were executed by the military with orders from Abuja.

8.That the gruesome and cold-blooded murder of His Eminence’s children and followers must be viewed as crime against humanity.

9. We call on Muslims to reflect on this Black Friday event, and to close ranks and build unity against the growing conspiracy and quest to annihilate the rise of Islam. This is the time to reflect and build solidarity and brotherhood among each other to salvage Islam from the onslaught and growing sponsored killings and destruction.

10. We are also urging Muslims, in general, and members of the Islamic Movement, in particular, to move closer to Allah (SWT) and to strengthen their relationship with Him and seek His repentance in this trying time.

In conclusion therefore, we hold the Nigerian government responsible for these gruesome murders. We demand that the government comes out to offer explanation as to what happened. An independent panel of enquiry must investigate these killings with a view to bring all those responsible to book. We demand that all our brothers and sisters still being held be released unconditionally and immediately.

Inherently, Friday 25th July 2014 no doubt has finally nailed the coffins of the myth of who the original "Boko Harams" are in Nigeria. The manner and conduct of the military and the killings on Friday 25th July 2014 will remain a sad day in the life of Muslims and non Muslims in general.

The ACADEMIC FORUM OF THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA (AFIMN)

Signed

S.I. Ahmad

Shuaibahmad105@gmail.com

afimn14@gmail.com

30/07/2014

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1218:press-release-cold-blood-murder-of-people&catid=41:frontpage

The Silly Placards displayed at Nigerian High Commission London on 28 July against Quds Day killings by Military.

as much as the killings are sad and condemnable, they are taking it too far.

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/securedownload%204.jpg
https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/securedownload%201.jpg

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/securedownload%202.jpg

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/securedownload%203.jpg

source: http://islamicmovement.org/

RICHIEBOI1: Not really sure though. But what I heard was that 2 soldiers where abducted during that Shi'ite procession.which angered the soldiers and they went on a shooting spree killing some of them and abducting those boys.

Abeg,tell us more. Where were the "abducted soldiers" taken to? What are the names of the soldiers shot at and where were they treated? So they were so weak to be abducted by civilian protesters and yet they created a massacre! You are very silly. Your excuses are more awful than the crime committed.

iiichidodo: [color=#1980BC] What you have there is zakzaky's own side of the story what if there was truly gunmen amongst the crowd,you know how hoodlums and thugs infiltrate these gathering to cause mayhem.What if the soldiers were shot at?? Do you expect them to siddon look?? If you allow saboteurs/thugs/gunmen to infiltrate your gathering then you deserve what is coming next..Shoot outs,bloodletting and general pandemonium [/color]

I wouldn't argue your perceptions,however ill they are, nor would i touch on the details because you have invented yours and mastered the art of believing the lies you tell to others.

Why not tell us on what everyone agree on from the site of the tragedy. The children were taken alive and shot in the custody of a beast in uniform. Of course, you wont believe an officer would "stoop that low" because there is no precedence of that in our history, right? You've forgotten the incident of burnt BRT buses just few weeks ago in Lagos.

gymer: ..."The name of the person who shot them was Brigadier General S. Okuh, he is the C.O. Engineer of Bassawa. When i demanded for the release of my sons through the GOC 1 Mechanized Division, Okuh said he would release them but not alive."

You must have your head examined to think that because I express a similar view with someone, I am a paid agent. Why is it that anybody that has a different view form you e-warriors is a paid agent? Check all my posts on NL, you will discover that I am not part of you guys.

See the man's statement above. He said clearly that Brig, Gen Okuh shot the children. He did not say the genera led the operation. Let's learn to speak with facts and not on sentiments. I don't know Gen Okuh but I am Nigerian who knows how the military operates, their efforts in securing us and will continue to appreciate them.

So because it is reported that one general did the shooting,you assume he is said to have been alone?

iiichidodo: [color=#1980BC] Time and time again Islamic Friday protests have been the precursors of ethno-religious rioting with attendant loss of lives on those who had no hand in the cause of the protest in the first place example Denmark cartoon riot,Reinhard Bonnke riot etc.When you factor in the high state of security alert after the bombings hours ago then you have a recipe for disaster and also your case cannot be helped when you engage soldiers in a brawl..I still blame Zakzaky for miscalculating the situation never mind controlling his mob.... [/color]

Great logic! Every time Muslims (whether Shi'ites or Sunnis) take to the streets to conduct a rally for whatever reason, shoot them and kill them all! You are vindicating murder and impunity.

ichidodo: [color=#1980BC] Very illogical statement from an understandably biased observer.These shiites were out to cause trouble,neutral eyewitness reports that the group blocked a very busy motorway for considerable amount of time,they were constituting a public nuisance and a security risk given that 82 people had just died less than 100 hours ago in the same state.To make matters worse,a soldier was almost dispossesed of his service rifle as well as some personnel were shot at..... Just like Hamas,Zakzaky should be blamed for putting his people in danger.. [/color]

All you have stated is no excuse for civilians (and in this case 3 brothers) already arrested and in army custody to be shot extra-judicially and in cold-blood,except if you want us to be deceived that everyone in that rally was carrying a gun and was shooting at impatient and brutal soldiers. What if the rally was infiltrated by saboteurs who wanted to provoke the soldiers to cause trouble? Does that justify the actions of the soldiers? If you are justifying insanity and you are creating an atnosphere of insecurity and impunity,then be ready to justify such when you are the target of the same.what goes around comes around.

AustineE1: let me start by saying that the death of 'civilians'in the hands of the military,in any form of struggle is painful and condemnable.Having said this,i wld equally like to assure you that the story told by Sheik El Zakzaky cld be 99% falsehood,i ve been priviledged to witness a Quds day match in Jos some yrs back,i went on an emergency trip to Jos and saw exactly what happened because i was also on the path of the road leading to Rukuba Road where the Shittes had their Mosque,though the governor warned earlier that the security situatn on ground means that the procession to Rukuba Road Mosque,which is in christian deminated area cld lead to crisis and shld be averted.But they insisted that they must do it and they were given military protectn but by the time they finished their prayers and were leaving,we started hearing the shout of 'Allah Akbar',in a blink of an eye,the devotees started shooting up and had set few shops on their path on fire and that angered the indigenes who now mobilized and fought back inspite of the presence of soldiers,though the soldiers in protecting the devotees,shot at some indigenes.
This led to the not famous Rukuba fight were human flesh were eaten,but the propaganda by this group afterwards,made the whole world to think muslims were unjustly killed and massacred in Rukuba Road and ever since then both Alqeada in the Magreb and boko haram has always singled out Plateau state in their hate speech...until we start telling the truth and not portraying the opressor as the oppressed,Nigeria may never know peace.Eye witness account coming out from Zaria says that the shittes shot at the military during the procession and in defence the military shot back and for El Zakzaky to think that a brig.Gen Okuh will stoop so low as to pick up a gun and knife and go on a killing spree in an ordinary riot,means that El zakzaky needs his head examiined.where his children caught with Arms?did they attack the military?where they at the wrong place at the wrong time?where they involved in the destructn seen at the site of the procession?did the bullet that unsettled the military come from them?.

you are not saying any truth. you are purposefully spreading falsehood by inventing a tale from Jos to tarnish their reputation. the incident of flesh eating (which was done as reprisal by Christian cannibals in Jos) you mentioned, in Jos, did not target the Shi'ite Muslims for whatever reason, but targeted Sunni Muslims heading for Eid prayer on Sallah. check the archives on nairaland. that wasn't Quds Day procession. not every Muslim gathering or procession is called Quds Day, in case you are ignorant of the word which i doubt in any case because your attempt appears purposeful to deceive people. the Quds Day procession have been held for 30 years across Nigerian cities and even abroad in Europe and America. i have not heard of any shooting and trouble.

K. Isa

The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Saeed Koozechi, has delivered a letter of condolence to Sheikh Zakzaky on behalf of Iranian government over the brutal killing of 33 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, among them were 3 children of the Sheikh by Nigerian military forces.

Deliverng the letter to the sheikh during a condolence visit on Monday the 28th of July 2014, the ambassador expressed deep saddness over the incidence.

Receiving the letter, Sheikh Zakzaky expressed appreciation on the visit and the concern shown.

In another development top Nigerian politicians among whom were former Speaker Ghali Umar Na'abba and Senator Ahmad Mohammed Makarfi also paid seperate visits to commiserate with Sheikh Zakzaky at his Gyellesu residence same day. A legislator with the Kaduna State House of Assembly Muhammad Ali, Veteran Journalist Adamu Adamu and Ibrahim Gashash were also among the teeming sympathizers to Sheikh Zakzaky.

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/dua3quds14/ta9.jpg

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/dua3quds14/ta2.jpg

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/dua3quds14/ta5.jpg

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1204:iran-top-nigerian-politicians-pay-condolence-visit-to-sheikh-zakzaky&catid=41:frontpage

National 25.7.2014 04.44 pm

EFF threatens to ‘remove’ Israeli ambassador

Emelia Motsai

https://citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2014/07/juju6-602x400.jpg?a2785f
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema speaks, 3 July 2014, at a party press conference in Johannesburg. Picture: Michel Bega

If the Israeli ambassador to SA does not leave the country, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will remove him.

EFF Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema said this while speaking to thousands gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria on Friday.

“Today we are firing wearing shots. If he (Arthur Lenk) does not leave we will come here in our numbers to remove him physically,” said Malema.

Friday marked the 18th day of the deadliest violence in the area in five years.

French news agency AFP reported that more than 650 Palestinians and 31 Israelis had been killed so far.

Earlier this week President Jacob Zuma announced that he will be sending a special team to Isreal and Palestine to relay the country’s concerns over the increasing violence in the conflict but Malema said that was not enough. He accused the ANC of not being hard enough on Isreal. He said they condemn Israel’s action but at night have dinner with the ambassador.

Malema also said the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) members should suspend business relations with Israel.

“We are not fighting Jews, we are fighting Zionism” said Malema.

http://citizen.co.za/220052/eff-threatens-remove-israeli-ambassador/

iterator25: Seun , why would you allow people post pics such as these on your platform can't you do a lil proofreading

the title of the thread already carries a warning that there are graphic pics. so you should expect seeing blood and dead people if you are inquisitive to click on the thread. dont complain.

may be these images of dead innocent people, among whom are women and children, can provoke the feelings of the stone-hearted beasts who want to justify extra-judicial killings and find excuses for their fellow beasts who perpetrated this massacre.

Onlinebizexpert: hmm my stupidity is simply based on the reality on ground
why dont the QUDS abi wetin choose a day to protest for the chibok gals round the globe
let your sympathy not cloud your judgement

going by your il-logic, all those foreigners around the world, who left their own problems to tend to the Chibok girls abduction and to protest for the freedom of the girls, also deserve the same brutal treatment by their respective governments/military meted to the people of Zaria, "for not minding their business and setting their priorities straight".

Onlinebizexpert: matyrs for what reason?
why didn't they protest against the killing of innocent nigerians by BOKO HARAM
please dont make me update pics of millions killed by BH that these dead men did not find fit to protest against their killing
northern nigeria a place of misplaced priorities

the below has already been given as answer to your stupidity in another thread:

https://www.nairaland.com/1831056/killing-3-sons-planned-gejnigerias#25005517

Onyocha: [b]so in the animal kingdom you live in when someone doesn't protest against the ones you are against and the someone goes on to protest against another form of injustice elsewhere, that someone's punishment is to be shot at sight in an extra-judicial manner? the Quds day procession is more or less a religious observance for Shi'ites across the globe. the procession was held even in London, New York, and Paris. furthermore, the Shi'ite Muslims in Zaria, as also elsewhere in the country, have conducted this peaceful rally for over three decades without any hitch! why this year there is problem? do people deserve to be shot for holding a procession even if you don't like the idea or you think they are silly and they are misplacing their priorities? so whenever someone doesn't know his priorities and he goes on to hold a peaceful protest, that someone would be taught his "priorities", or rather your own priority, through the sound of bullets. shame!

today it is the Shi'ites, and God knows whose turn this lawlessness would target. how can people feel safe in such atmosphere of anarchy and insecurity?[/b]

Some of the Pictures of Quds Martyrs

Saturday, 26 July 2014 19:20

These are the pictures of 12 out of 36 current Quds Day Martyrs.

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05718.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05719.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05720.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05721.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05722.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05723.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05724.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05725.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05726.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05727.JPG

https://www.islamicmovement.org/images/stories/qudsmartyrs14/DSC05728.JPG

http://islamicmovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1191:some-of-the-pictures-of-quds-martyrs&catid=41:frontpage

naijaking1: Brave militants willing to die for their cause will put on the green attire of Shiites, and take themselves to where it's happening: Gaza, Syria, and Iraq. Don't you want to get your own share of fresh virgin pus--ssi--es in heaven?
Why do you guys sit here in Nigeria, feed fat of middle eastern patrons, and constantly terrorize local Nigerians
Go and attack Isreal, not your local fellow Nigerian!!!!!

the mind in which holding a procession amount to "terrorizing local Nigerians"!

naijaking1: The only mistake the soldiers made was letting the terrorist himself, El-ZakyZaky go free. He should and ought to have been among the dead.
Hear him, " in the course of normal procession demonstrating Israeli action in Gaza"
What is normal about demonstrating, blocking the road, and killing southerners in Kaduna for what is going on thousands of miles away in the middle east
Just look at him, well fed, fat, and arrogant moth--fu--ker. He too should be dead!

you mean it? so they were killing southern civilians and not just blocking the road at soldiers? please enlighten us. how many southerners have the Shia in Zaria killed since over 30 years they have annually planned and commomerated Quds Day by holding processions? i think the answer is 0! the only terrorist here is you. you are terrorizing us with silly comments and hatred this hot Sunday afternoon.

Onyocha: so the price to pay for a child "trying to make his father proud" is killing the child!!! .

quite amusing! but you also forgot to add. a northerner who protests against israel's brutalization of the palestinian people and doesnt protest against boko haram, his punishment is also bullets on the streets! that is how some blinded idiots think out of hatred and prejudice.