From: Islamic Human Rights Commission
04 April 2020
Nigeria Digest #114 (Volume 3 Issue 46) – Take Action: Write to the African Union
Reports of killings in Kaduna prison when inmates protested overcrowded cells in the face of Covid-19 fears.
You can find all the latest actions and information, as well as background to the campaign, information, videos, audio, and details on the Sheikh on the Free Zakzaky campaign page. The Nigeria Digest is a weekly summary of the campaign to #FreeZakzaky and all who are illegally detained, focusing on the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
Introduction
Action Alert
Articles
Videos
Archive
INTRODUCTION
This week saw reports that authorities covered up killings in Kaduna prison, when inmates staged a protest, which turned into a riot over fears that they could contract Coronavirus due to the overcrowded nature of cells and poor ventilation system in the facility. The Zakzaky’s are illegally detained in this prison and their son in an update raised concerns about their health amid the Covid-19 crisis
Please help support those injured by police brutality, and the families of those killed by the security services, by donating to the IHRC Trust Nigeria Fund here.
Above all, please remember all the oppressed in your dua.
#FreeZakzaky!
Please send an email to the African Union and demand their intervention in this case. A model letter and contact details of the African Union are provided below. Please forward any responses you receive to IHRC at wajahat@ihrc.org.
Model email / letter
If you are emailing, please use the following in the subject line:
African Union’s Failure To Save Innocent Lives
Your name
Your address
Date
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat
Chair African Union Commission
PO Box 3243 Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dear H.E. Mousa Faki Mahamat,
Re: African Union’s Failure To Save Innocent Lives
Nigeria has been the subject of repeated complaints over its killings of supporters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. The African Union’s silence on this issue is putting more innocent lives at risk. Nigerian security forces have continuously attacked various peaceful demonstrations of the Islamic movement, killing dozens of peaceful protesters, while arresting, torturing, and injuring hundreds of them.
It is imperative that you apply pressure on the Nigerian authorities so they stop killing innocent people and immediately release the unlawfully detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah. They have been held in illegal detention for over four years. You are doubtless aware of the details of his case. I am deeply concerned for their safety and security.
I urge your office to make it known in unconditional terms that further violations against the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, or indeed any other political or religious group will not be tolerated by the African Union.
I look forward to your speedy response outlining the actions your office will be taking.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature if posting]
[Name]
African Union’s Contact Details:
Email: dic@africa-union.org
Postal Address: PO Box 3243 Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19 Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 7844
ARTICLES
Eight Inmates Of Kaduna Prison Killed By Officials For Leading Protest, Authorities Cover Up Incident
03 April 2020 – Sahara Reporters
Prison officials have killed at least eight inmates of the Kaduna Correctional Centre suspected to have led a protest at the facility on Tuesday, SaharaReporters can confirm.
Those killed are Hammed Abdullahi, Lucky Ugokama, Ibrahim Abukabar aka Baba Lolo, Yahu Salisu, Elvis Wisdom Adekpe, Lucky Njoku, Oluchukwu Oche also known as ‘No Witch’, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, while Ogume Osifo Osarome is in critical condition after being severely tortured.
Inmates at the correctional centre had staged a protest, which turned into a riot over fears that they could contract Coronavirus (COVID-19) and die due to the overcrowded nature of cells and poor ventilation system in the facility. Click here to read the details.
Petri dish Detention by Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky
01 April 2020 – Chilling update by Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky
There has been a violent incident inside Kaduna Prison, that has rendered my memory of the Zaria Massacre of 2015 raw. As the harrowing sounds of another rampage of gun fire was heard from Kaduna Prison, where my parents are currently being detained.
All my frantic calls to the Controller of Prisons and his Deputy were not answered, as the sounds of gun fire continued to rage. All my efforts to learn what was really going on failed. I have however been able to learn a few things through the few answered calls. All of them agree on the following.
- There has been a surge of Covid-19 symptomatic prisoners in Kaduna Prison.
- Staff of the Prison Clinic have been avoiding 3 symptomatic prisoners particularly.
- Three of them were removed and one was returned on Tuesday.
- A number of Prisoners strongly objected to the re-introduction of the prisoners.
- The Prison Staff tried to calm things down by trying to reason with them.
- The Prison’s armed squad were then deployed, to supress an alleged prison break.
- After a period of Automatic fire in the air and on target, calm was restored.
- The prisoners suspected of Covid-19 are among those reported shot and killed.
- Bullet canisters were still littered all over the place 3 hours later.
- Many of the Kaduna prison staff are visibly injured, some with serious injuries.
- A significant number of the injured staff were seen walking around in blood-soaked uniforms.
- So called normalcy has been enforced, and returned at an unknown cost.
The fact remains that the highly crowded, unsanitary conditions of Kaduna Prison remains a highly contagious environment, that is no place for my vulnerable mother and father, both of whom are above 50 years of age. Both of whom are un-healthy, both of whom are suffering from an unprecedented number of health issues that have remained untreated and unattended. Click here to read the details
VIDEOS
Police Firing On 2019 Ashura procession, Kaduna, Nigeria
Posted on 10 September 2019
Nigerian Police appear to be firing on Ashura procession. For latest campaign action to stop the violence visit: NIGERIA: Demand your Minister of Foreign Affairs intervene to stop killings
An Appeal for Victims of Violence in Nigeria
Published on 27 May 2019
The Nigerian authorities have attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leaving dozens dead. They need your help now. Support medical costs for those injured in police and army violence against the Islamic Movement. Support the families of those killed.
ARCHIVE
Click here to read IHRC Press release “ICC cautioned against blaming victims in Nigeria massacre investigation”, published on 06 March 2018.
Click here to read the letter by IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh to the ICC regarding the preservation of Zaria massacre-evidence. published on 30 November 2017.
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The opinions expressed in this digest do not necessarily reflect the views of IHRC
