Nigeria army killed unarmed Shia kids: Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged that the Nigerian Army killed at least 300 members of the Shiite Islamic movement of Nigeria when they clashed in Zaria, Kaduna State.

It is impossible to say how many died in Zaria as the military sealed off the area for days.

“IMC wishes to state that the officers and men of the Nigerian Army shouldbe taught the modern rules of dealing with civilian altercations, and should know that the frequent release of bullets is now outdated”.

Speaking after the meeting, the chairman of the committee, Aminu Sani Jaji said they met with the Army chief to get first hand information on what happened on the day of the clash.

“It is therefore presumptuous and clearly out of context for anyone to make such unsubstantiated allegations or comments”, said Usman. The army claims it acted after Shiites tried to block the convoy of Nigeria’s army chief – a charge the Shiites deny. While some of those people did throw stones at the soldiers, the report found no credible evidence to suggest the army’s brutal reaction was justified.

Human Rights Watch said today the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the government should be sufficiently independent and impartial to hold those responsible to account.

Hundreds of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, on Monday protested against the arrest of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

Solomon Arase, the Inspector-General of Police, has revealed when and how Shitte Muslims in detention in connection with the recent violence in Zaria, Kaduna state, can be visited by their friends, relatives and lawyers.

Between raids and suicide bombings, Boko Haram has severely damaged infrastructure in Nigeria’s impoverished northeast at a time when the commodity-dependent country is facing a cash crunch thanks to plunging oil prices.

As many as 1,000 people may have been killed, rights activists say, sparking protests in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north that spread to Tehran, the Iranian capital, and New Delhi in India.