Photos: Protest In London Over Killing Of Members Of The Shiite Group By The Nigerian Army In Zaria
Islamic Human Rights Commission have organized a protest in front of Nigerian High Commission in London in support of Shiites sect members being killed by the Nigerian Army since Saturday.
The protesters on Sunday stormed Nigerian Embassy and wrote “Nigerian Army are killing unarmed civilians now” on the front door, floor and placards.
See photos below:
Trouble reportedly started Saturday afternoon when the Shiites, who had blocked the Samaru-PZ road in self-defense, apparently following a clash Friday with members of the Darika sect in Gatsari area of Zaria, were directed by soldiers to leave the highway, but they refused.
An attempt to clear the sect members’ road blockade reportedly led to the use of force by the soldiers, which led to a clash between the army and members of the sect.
As a result of the clash, the army accused the Shiite followers of attempting to assassinate Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai who was enroute Zaria to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army.
The army said about the assassination:
“The Shiite Sect on the orders of their leader, Ibrahim Alzak-zaky today afternoon in Zaria attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff while on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
“The sect, numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects.
“The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as Special Guest of Honour at the passing out parade which has earlier been widely publicized.
“The troops responsible for the safety and security of the Chief of Army Staff on hearing explosion and firing were left with no choice than to defend him and the convoy at all cost as well as open up the barricaded road for law abiding citizens.
“This is in line with the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated from any individual or groups and should not be allowed to repeat itself.
The Shiite group on the other hand said soldiers simply decided to attack “defenseless people”.
The leader of the group Ibrahim Elzakzaky, was then arrested by Nigerian troops, following a siege on his Zaria residence. Inside sources in the sect’s hierarchy also said that a top leader of the movement, Muhammadu Turi, and the head of the medical team of the sect, Mustapha Saidu, and several others were killed during the siege.
A source at the military hospital in Chindit Barracks Depot of the Nigerian Army, Zaria, said that they received 19 bodies of people killed in the encounter.
The Nigerian army yet to comment on the siege.
Get them arrested, jobless demons
This is one of the points I made after the Paris attacks, what’s the problem with Muslims? why can’t they for once hold their peace?
We’re dealing with Boko haram, we’ve not been able to handle them, and now shiite. Do they derive pleasure in protest?
Nigeria has a lot to deal with, and in a region where Boko haram has different ways of attacking innocent lives, just weeks ago they killed some military men, how do they expect the soldiers to discern where they stand, either peace or war.
It’s a common knowledge that terrorist group like Al Qaeda, jihadist, use innocent human as shield when they want to attack in countries they operate. If they know it’s a peaceful protest and you see a military group passing by, you don’t tease or oppose them.
Later they’ll come out crying foul when Extremist bomb places, that they’re not involved, and they don’t represent Islam, but y’all give them more reasons to cos chaos.
Nonsense, protesting over what? They’re in support of the unrest in Nigeria.