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Nigeria Digest # 8

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Nigeria Digest # 8

28 October 2017

Islamic Human Rights Commission
NIGERIA DIGEST 28 OCTOBER 2017 (Volume 1 Issue 8)

Introduction
Action Alert
Articles and Resources Digest

Introduction

Welcome to the Nigeria Digest. In this issue you will find an overview of the last week’s events, including protests in Kaduna, Sokoto, Azare, Yola, Kano, Shinkafi and Katsina. Nigerian Police and security services attacked peaceful protesters in Kaduna and Sokoto.

As Ashra-e-Zainabiya and the Arbaeen approaches, we urge you to campaign with the African Union. as this is a time that the Nigerian regime has often clamped down on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, often using a sectarian narrative to justify their actions. In anticipation of this please also circulate Nusaibah El-Zakzaky’s letter on the Islamic Movement as widely as you can.

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Free Zakzaky!

Action Alert: Nigeria – Demand African Union intervene in Zakzaky case

1. Write to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and demand they intervene in this case and also highlight the possible additional crackdowns on the movement given the time of Arbaeen approaches. A model letter can be found below for your assistance.

2. If you receive a response please forward it to IHRC at info@ihrc.org.

Model email / letter

Date

Dear Adv. Faith Pansy Tlakula

Re: Sheikh Zakzaky, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Possible Further Atrocities against them

I am writing to you to ask for your urgent intervention to help halt the continuing persecution of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria by state authorities, especially; I am really concerned that there will be further crackdowns by the Nigerian army and or government on the Islamic Movement in the coming weeks as Ashra-e-Zainabiya and the Arbaeen approaching. Unscrupulous members of the army and government have previously used a deeply sectarian and divisive narrative to justify violent actions, including shooting at religious worshipers and or protesters on demonstrations, curtailment of religious services and various violations. In some previous instances, sectarian rhetoric from institutions linked to the government and army have incited mob attacks on IMN members.

I urge your office to make known in unconditional terms that further violations against IMN members or indeed any other political or religious group will not be tolerated by your office or the African Union.

I look forward to your speedy response outlining the actions your office will be taking.

Yours sincerely,

Your signature (if posting)
Your name

ARTICLES AND RESOURCES

Free Zakzaky Protest in Abuja
25 October 2017

IMN organised a large peaceful Protest in front of Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Wednesday 25th October 2017.

Spurious Police attacks on Free Zakzaky protests in Kaduna and Sokoto are condemnable

25 October 2017 – IMN Press Release

Last Sunday (22/10/17), peaceful Free Zakzaky processions were held in major towns and cities across Northern states calling on the Buhari administration to comply with the nearly one-year old federal high court ruling on the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky from illegal detention. Processions ended peacefully except in Kaduna and Sokoto where armed policemen attacked the peaceful marches.

In Kaduna metropolis, a contingent of well armed policemen was drafted to the scene of the peaceful protest along the busy Ahmadu Bello way and opened fire on the unarmed protesters using live bullets and teargas. Luckily, there was no loss of life reported but dozens sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity.

The same scenario was played out in Sokoto, where the security men arrived after the peaceful protest has ended and participants were already leaving the scene of termination of the procession. Nevertheless, the policemen were bent on attacking. They proceeded to the Center of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, carted away motorcycles left behind by some of the protesters and also made some arrests…

Nigerian Police Attacked Peaceful Free Sheikh Zakzaky Protesters With Teargas in Kaduna
23 October 2017 – FreeZak Committee

On Sunday the 22/10/2017, thousands of brothers and sisters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Kaduna zone, marched peaceful free Sheikh Zakzaky protest calling for unconditional release of leader of the Movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

The protest kicked off at about 3:00p.m. at Leventis roundabout, Along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna. It marched through the Ahmadu Bello Way to Kano Road by Ibraheem Taiwo Road, the city heart of Kaduna.
Prior to closing juncture, at fire service junction, Armed Mobile Police attacked the peaceful procession with teargas. A report says four people have arrested two of them are females.

Security operatives Teargassed Peaceful Free Zakzaky protesters in Sokoto
22 October 2017

Free Zakzaky protest in Sokoto on SUnday the 22nd of Oct 2017 ended peacefully. However, security operatives teargassed the gathering after a clsoing speech by Sheikh Qasim Umar. The protests took place peacefully in many towns in sokoto state which include: Illela, Gada , Gwadabawa, Kware, Bodinga, Gwaranyo, Isa and Tangaza

Free Zakzaky Protests in Azare and Yola
22 October 2017

A large number of Women, Men and Children participated in Free Zakzaky protests in Azare and Yola on Sunday 22 October 2017.

FreeZakzaky Protest in Kano
22 October 2017

Free Sheikh Zakzaky protest in Kano on Sunday the 22nd of Oct 2017.

Free Zakzaky Protests in Ilella, Shinkafi and in Katsina
22 October 2017
Free Zakzaky in Ilella, Shinkafi in Sokoto state and also a protest in Katsina on Sunday the 22nd of Oct 2017

IMN Women stage protest to free Al-Zakzaky

Speaking to OAK TV in Abuja, Mrs Maimuna Bintu Hussein, one of the protesters accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to the laws of the land thus subjecting the cleric to unending torture despite the court’s order to effect his release.