El-Zakzaky: NHRC confirms it’s investigating alleged killing of 492 Shi’ites
The National Human Rights Commission has confirmed that it was looking into the alleged killing of 492 Shiites by the Army and the Police within the last four years.
This was made known in a letter to rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), which was dated 7 November, 2018 and signed by a spokesman of the commission, Valerie Duruh.
The letter was in response to Falana’s earlier petition to the Commission which was dated 2nd November, 2018.
Falana had said: “In spite of the duty imposed on the Federal Government to respect the fundamental rights of every person living in Nigeria the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police Force have embarked on the systematic infringements of the fundamental rights of the Shiites to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of association and assembly.”
“In particular, not less than 492 Shiites were recklessly massacred in Zaria, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano and Abuja by armed military and police personnel from 2014-2018. A number of other Shiites who were arrested for demonstrating against disobedience of court orders by the Federal Government were alleged to have been tortured to death in detention camps.”
Replying, however, Duruh stated: “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of a copy of your email/ letter to the Commission dated 2nd and 5th November, 2018 respectively.
“The complaint is receiving attention.
“You will be informed of the outcome of our investigation on the matter in due course.”
