Amnesty International demands accelerated justice, urges impartial probe

dimeji akinloye

December 16, 2015 7:48 PM

The Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria, M.K. Ibrahim, has urged that anyone found responsible for unlawful killings must be brought to justice.

Shiites protest killing of their members in Zaria

Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate the killing of members of Islamic group, Shi’ite in Zaria, Kaduna state, by the Nigerian army.

The Nigerian army had on Saturday, December 12, killed dozens of the group's members after they allegedly made assassination attempt on the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

The Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria, M.K. Ibrahim, has urged that anyone found responsible for unlawful killings must be brought to justice.

“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military.

“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials,” Ibrahim said.

In separate statements, the United States and the United Kingdom had also condemned the killings, calling for a transparent investigation.

Despite killing their members, the military also reportedly arrested many members of the group, including its leader, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention.

dimeji akinloye