Tag zaria masacre

The Zaria massacre refers to the killing of over 300 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiites, by the Nigerian Army on December 12, 2015, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

The massacre occurred when the Nigerian Army, led by Major General Hassan Umaru, attacked a procession of IMN members who were mourning the death of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, who had been shot and injured in a previous clash with the army. The army claimed that the IMN members were armed and had attacked them, but eyewitnesses and human rights groups disputed this claim, saying that the IMN members were peaceful and unarmed.

The attack resulted in the deaths of over 300 IMN members, including women and children, and the destruction of several buildings and vehicles. Many others were injured and arrested, and some were reportedly tortured and killed in custody.

The Zaria massacre was widely condemned by human rights groups and international organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations. The Nigerian government was accused of using excessive force and violating the rights of the IMN members.

In the aftermath of the massacre, the Nigerian government launched an investigation, but many of the findings were disputed by the IMN and human rights groups. The government also banned the IMN and declared it a terrorist organization, which was seen as a move to silence the group and prevent it from speaking out against government abuses.

The Zaria massacre remains a highly controversial and sensitive issue in Nigeria, with many calling for justice and accountability for the victims and their families.