By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ite Sect, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take action on the killing of its members, and not wait for the report of enquiry set up by Kaduna State Government.
According to the group, instead of the President waiting for the state government and army to tender their submissions to him, he should set up a powerful independent judicial commission of inquiry that include people of integrity, as well as human right activists.
A clash between the army and members of the sect on 12th and 13th of December 2015, in Zaria, left hundreds of shi’tes dead.
A statement by the Group’s Spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, was issued in reaction to President Buhari’s comment on the issue.
The president during his maiden Media chat in Abuja said he remained silent about the crisis because he doesn’t want to comment before the outcome of both Army and kaduna state government investigation.
The Shi’tes claimed that based on the insensitivity shown by the president, the movement expect no justice from the government.
“The claim by the Nigerian President that he will wait for the report of the Kaduna State Government before commenting on the Zaria massacre is mischievous to say the least.
“The Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has already declared and made public his stance and condemned IMN and even desecrated the grave of the mother of his Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. How can IMN get justice from such a person?‬
‪”Based on the insensitivity shown by the president, how could the IMN expect any justice from the government? The Kaduna state governor who had played a major role in the massacre and destruction of properties in Zaria had since declared that the leader of the Movement was going to be prosecuted even before announcing the members of his committee of enquiry.  ‬
‪”Buhari expects to take a stand on the issue after the culprits including the Army and Kaduna state governmnment have conducted an investigation into an issue they were active party to by making them a judge in their own case.‬
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“We demand that instead of the President to wait for the Kaduna state government and the army to tender their submissions to him.
“He should set up a powerful independent judicial commission of inquiry that include people of integrity and human right activists.
“It is only then that justice might be done to the Zaria massacre of December 12 and 13,” the statement reads.
