We are the most oppressed community in Nigeria, say Shi’ites

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) say it is the “most oppressed community” in Nigeria’s history.

Qasim Umar, a leader of the movement, said this on Thursday while addressing members of the IMN, also known as Shi’ites, at a rally in Kaduna.

They were subsequently dispersed by the police.

“The atrocities committed by the army [against the movement] are the first of its kind in the country,” he said.

“If we say the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is the most oppressed community in recent Nigerian history, it is not an overstatement. Please consider the following facts.

“Within 48 hours the Nigerian army massacred over 1000 unarmed civilians in Zaria in December, 2015. Where in the annals of Nigerian history has such a tragedy taken place, without the leadership of the country batting  an eyelid of concern?

“Where in the world are soldiers seen burning people alive? But they burnt the senior Sister to Sheikh Zakzaky and several others alive. Where in the world are soldiers video-taped pouring petrol on corpses and burning them?

“They burnt hundreds in Zaria, which is why probably the Kaduna state government was only able to document the death of 347 people at the hands of the Nigerian army.

“Not only that, the Kaduna state governor has the temerity to even declare  the Islamic Movement in Nigeria as an unlawful society, after all the constitutional rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of religion and association.

“Now under such an obnoxious state order dozens are in jail simply because they were arrested in a black attire, allegedly worn only by the Shiites.”

Ibraheem Zakzaky and Zennah, his wife, have  been in detention since December 2015.

On December 2, the federal high court Abuja ordered the release of Zakzaky and his wife but the Department of State Services (DSS) has failed obey the ruling.