Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), today marked the 10th anniversary of the tragic Zaria massacre. He delivered a powerful message that highlights unresolved grievances from the 2015 incident. In December 2015, Nigerian soldiers clashed with IMN members in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The confrontation began when followers blocked the convoy of then-Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Soldiers responded with force, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Human rights groups estimate over 300 IMN followers perished, with many buried in mass graves.
Authorities arrested El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, following the event. They endured detention for nearly six years until a court acquitted them in 2021. El-Zakzaky now reflects on the massacre's impact and demands accountability.
"As for Buhari, it’s simple. He has passed away. We will meet on the Day of Judgement," El-Zakzaky stated, referring to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He recalled receiving a phone call from a minister while wounded, during which he sent greetings to Buhari and emphasized their inevitable reckoning.
El-Zakzaky criticized the government's ongoing silence. A 2016 judicial commission investigated the incident, but officials never released the report. The current administration promised compensation before taking office, yet it maintains total inaction. "They do not even acknowledge that anything happened," he noted.
Despite suppression efforts, the IMN has grown stronger. The crackdown spread the movement's message globally, sparking international protests. The group now pursues legal action in international courts. To commemorate the anniversary, IMN plans displays, pictures, and gatherings. El-Zakzaky affirmed their persistence: "If they don’t want to see us, they will still see us."
El-Zakzaky calls for justice without specific demands, believing the government knows its wrongs. This anniversary serves as a reminder of Nigeria's unresolved human rights issues.