The Zaria massacre, also known as the Buhari massacre, was a massacre carried out by the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, on Saturday, 12 December 2015, against Shia Muslims, mostly members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).[2][3][4][5] At least 1000 civilians were killed, with 347 bodies secretly buried by the Army in a mass grave.[6]
The Army claimed that it had responded to an attempt to assassinate Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, by the IMN. This claim has been strongly rejected by the IMN and several human rights organizations who argue that the massacre occurred without any provocation and that all the protestors were unarmed.[2][7][8] The incident is considered among the "notable human rights violations since the return to democracy" in Nigeria.[9]
Incident
The Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria carried out an assault against Shia Muslims, mostly members of the IMN, from 12 December to 14 December 2015. The attack left at least 348 civilians killed and some others injured.[5]Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the IMN, was injured in the incident and was captured along with his wife and hundreds of other members.[10]
Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman claimed that, on 12 December, IMN members had attempted to assassinate General Tukur Burutai while he was driving through Zaria by blocking a stretch of road near their headquarters and throwing stones[2][5] alongside a petrol bomb[11] at his convoy. IMN members have denied this. Subsequent killings on 13 December around parts of Zakzaky's compound were covered up.[12][13]
Some of the injured within a makeshift hospital were burned alive, according to a report by Amnesty International.[12] According to a Human Rights Watch report, Nigeria's government buried the bodies without family members' permission.[13][14][15]
The United States of America expressed concern over the killings; stating, "While many details of the incidents...remain unclear, we are dismayed to learn of multiple civilian deaths". The US also called for the Government of Nigeria to "quickly, credibly and transparently investigate" the events.[20]
Investigation
In January 2016, the Kaduna State Government formed the Commission for Judicial Inquiry into the causes of clashes in Zaria between the IMN and the Army in December 2015, under the chairmanship of Justice Mohammed Garba, the presiding justice of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal.[21][22]
The IMN refused to provide evidence to the commission in protest of Zakzaky's continued imprisonment.[23]
Findings
On 1 August 2016, the commission of inquiry came to the conclusion that Zakzaky should be held responsible, due to "refusing to call his members to order when required to do so."[6][23]
^ abGarba, Mohammed Lawal; Shehu, Salisu; Labdo, Umar; Abubakar, Salihu; Yadudu, Auwalu; Gambari, Ibrahim; Mshelbwala, A.A.; Gadzama, Afakriya; Maude, Aminun-Kano; Ibrahim, Jibrin; Gambo, Khadijah Hawaja; Bala, Bilya; Nsirim, Desire Diseye (1 August 2016). Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Clashes between the IMN and the NA in Zaria(PDF) (Report). Kaduna State Government. Archived from the original(PDF) on 20 October 2016.
