PRESS RELEASE - Nigeria: Military invade Islamic Centre in Zaria

Sunday, 13 December 2015 01:18 Press Releases

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Updated information at 01:31 GMT, 13 December 2015

Eyewitnesses are reporting that soldiers from the Nigerian army have raided the Islamic Centre (hussainiyyah Baqiyatullah) in Zaria. ÂÂÂÂÂ Further information to follow.

http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11589-press-release-nigeria-military-threatening-to-storm-islamic-centre-continues-advance-on-zakzakys-house-demonstrations-in-nigeria-and-world-wide

naija

again?

PRESS RELEASE - Nigeria: Military attacking home of leader of Islamic Movement

Saturday, 12 December 2015 23:12

Eyewitnesses are reporting that soldiers from the Nigerian army have launched an assault on the private residence of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky in Zaria.ÂÂÂ
The assault is ongoing with the unarmed followers and supporters of the Sheikh reportedly trying to protect him with their bodies.

The attack follows this afternoon's violence in which soldiers opened fire at mourners attending a funeral in Zaria at Hussainiyyah Baqiyatullah. The funeral was for Muslims killed yesterday in violence attributed to Boko Haram, but which many in the area claim has connections with elements of the military.

Reports say approximately 30 people died in that incident.

Last year three sons of the Sheikh were targeted and killed by armed forces during an after an Al-Quds Day march in Zaria.

Notes to editors:

For media enquiries or further details please call + 44 7958 522196[Ends]

http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11587-press-release-nigeria-military-attacking-home-of-leader-of-islamic-movement

Sheikh Muhammed Mahmud Turi, one of Elzakzaky's deputy has been killed by the Nigerian army

URGENT ALERT: Nigeria - Mallam Turi martyred; Army have invaded of house of Mu’allim Ibraheem al-Zakzaky

Saturday, 12 December 2015 22:52

Updated 09.31, 13 December 2015

Background

Mu’allim Ibraheem Al-Zakzaky (el-Zakzaky) is the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. His movement has been highly critical of political corruption, the Nigerian-Israeli governmental relationships and intelligence sharing, Boko Haram and the relationship it has with facets of the Nigerian army, as well as other issues. The movement itself is heavily involved in educational and social programmes across Nigeria.

Last year at the annual pro-Palestine demonstrations some 40 people were shot and killed by an army unit, including 3 sons of Zakzaky. This is not the first time the movement has experienced violent suppression and abuses.

This week activists from the movement were killed in separate attacks. Today at the funeral of some of these in the Hussainiyah Baqiyatullah (Islamic Centre) in Zaria, an army unit approached and opened fire on unarmed mourners. Eyewitnesses report some 30 were killed.

At the time of writing there are reports that soldiers are advancing on the house of Al-Zakzaky, and that supporters have been forming a human shield to proetct the household. Reports state that 20 people from the human shield have been shot and killed by the military.

Latest information

Updated at 09.31 GMTÂÂÂ

Mallam Turi, one of the most senior members of the Islamic Movement, has been killed by the Nigerian military during the invasion of el-Zakzaky's house. ÂÂÂ The invasion is ongoing andÂÂÂ eyewitnessÂÂÂ state that theÂÂÂ militaryÂÂÂ have been firing and throwing explosive devices.

Updated at 06.39 GMT, 13 December 2015 - Army attacking Dar ul-Rahma (just outside Zaria), at least one person reported killed. ÂÂÂÂ Dar ul-Rahma is a centre in construction, as well as the burial place of the martyrs of last year's al-Quds Day.

Updated 05.00 GMT, 13 December 2015 - A full scale attack on the house of el-Zakzaky has been resumed. The front of the ISlamic Centre has been destroyed and troops have gone in.

Updated at 01.31 GMT, 13 December 2015 - Military storm Hussainiyyah Baqiyatullah

Updated at 01.18 MT, 13 December 2015 - Military thretaning to raid Islamic Centre; still advancing on Zakzaky home; scores killed ; demonstrations continuing across Nigeria, as well as London, UK, more scheduled for South East Asia today

Photos from London demonstration here

Suggested action

Call a flash protest outside the Nigerian High Commission / Embassy in your country. ÂÂÂÂÂÂ A protest has already taken place outside the Nigerian High Commission in London, UK.ÂÂÂÂÂÂ
2. Email / call the Foreign Office / Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country demanding their immediate intervention to prevent these massacres and the attack on the house of al-Zakzaky. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ UK campaigners can email fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk and call 020 7008 1500.

3. Call your major news stations (in the UK call the BBC) and ask them to send a reporter now.

You can WhatsApp the BBC on this number +447525900971

4. Please spread the word via email, social media etc.

5. Please call the Nigerian Embassy / High COmmission in your country and email them, demanding they halt this operation. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ call them now. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Campaigners in the UK can call 0207 839 1244 and email via this linkÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/enquiries

6. ÂÂÂÂÂÂ Please pray.

For further information please follow the @ihrc twitter and Facebook pages, and the website. This page will be updated regularly.

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The state, in a time of distress, cannot and will not bow to embarrassing groups like the Islamic Movement. They did it last year, got away with it, and this year again, they attempted it. They organize themselves as army of Islam, sing songs of intimidation and violence against the state.

If the State rejected the perfervid but harmless secessionism of the East with bullets, then same goes for an organized body of violent extremists. Bullets!

You cut-off the whole head before it becomes hydra headed.

this is the best reaction, they need to nip it in the bud and not allow it to fester