Amnesty
International has called for an urgent investigation into the shooting of
members of a Shi’ite religious group in Zaria, Kaduna state by the Nigerian
army, uging that, anyone found responsible for unlawful killings must be
brought to justice.
“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no
doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the
military,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria.
“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if
strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the
authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone
responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.”
As well as the loss of life, security forces arrested
many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the
group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning
and remains in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports
suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to
the university teaching hospital.
Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out
unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security
operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious
human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east
Nigeria.
“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these
killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to
justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter
of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or
released,” said M.K. Ibrahim.
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