Zaria Quds massacres (or Zaria Quds massacres) refers to an incident on July 25, 2014, when the Nigerian Army opened fire on members of the Islamic Movement who were taking part in Quds day rallies, and killed 35 people, including three sons of Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the movement.[3] The Islamic Movement and Islamic human rights groups have claimed that Nigerian government’s close ties with Israel were responsible for the attacks on the pro-Palestinian group.
On 25th July, 2014, members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria and other victims that were seriosly wounded and or brutally killed by some Nigerian Army soldiers under Brigadier General S. Okoh, during the last Friday’s Quds’ day and Palestinian Solidarity march in Zaria.
- The number of those with major or minor injuries is so far 70. Among the casualties, we have 31 persons with major injury, one of them already has his arm amputated at Orthopedic Hospital, Kano.
- There are two women among the injured victims – a cripple lady, an Igbo christian lady and a 68 year old Christian Samaritan, who was instantly shot and killed by the soldiers, for simply asking why ere the innocent protesters being shot?
- Among the victims there were two young ladies that were killed by the soldiers.
- There are also about 15 persons who are still under detention with the military.
- An ambulance belonging to Islamic Medical Care Initiative (ISMA), a registered NGO with Nigerian CAC was also detained together with the driver of the vehicle.
- Among those brutally killed, there are three sons of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria. While Sayyid Ali Ibraheem Zakzaky sustained fracture in his leg as a result of gunshot.
Statements
Sheihk Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) said,
I am appealing to my followers to be patient and remain calm. After the burial of those killed, we will decide what action to take. I have communicated with the authorities, and they are all claiming not to be aware of the operation. It is my belief that the operation was ordered from Abuja.
Ibrahim Musa, the editor of Al-Mizan, the weekly newspaper published by the group, said in a statement, “Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession?”
Motives behind the attack
The Islamic Movement and the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), among other Islamic NGOs, have claimed that the Nigerian government’s close ties with Israel prompted the attack. The chair of the IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh, said:
This is a heinous act, that sadly is not isolated in the history of this event in Nigeria. It appears that Nigerian security co-operation with Israel grows year on year, with its military targeting peaceful pro-Palestinian activism. It is disgusting. We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, who must be considered far flung victims of the latest Israeli aggression.
S. M. Mohamed Idris, Chairman of Citizens International, Malaysia said:
The crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters appears to be the consideration for the security assistance provided by the Zionist regime. It is a shame that the current Nigerian government has abandoned the decades-long support of the Nigerian people and government for the Palestinian liberation struggle.
List of Martyrs
- Martyr Ahmad Ibraheem Zakzaky
- Martyr Hameed Ibraheem Zakzaky
- Martyr Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky
- Martyr Usman Ridwan
- Martyr Musa Soba
- Martyr Haidar Muhammad U/Gwado
- Martyr Abdulbasit Shehu U/Jaba
- Martyr Alhaj Atiku Zaria
- Martyr Haruna Sufi Dogarawa
- Martyr Sadisu Salisutanimu U/Noma
- Martyr Kabiru Alaramma Muciya
- Martyr Zainul Abidin K/Dangoma
- Martyr Alaramma Alhasan U/Kanawa
- Martyr Shamwilu Bashir Funtua
- Martyr Adamu Shitu Barwa
- Martyr Zulaihat Sani
- Martyr Yusuf Abdulqadir
- Martyr Mansur Ahmad Bilbis
- Martyr Haruna Ahmad T/Wada
- Martyr Abubakar Sabati T/Jukun
- Martyr Shafi’u Tsugugi
- Martyr Umar Dambo
- Martyr Ishaka Abdullahi Muciya
- Martyr Ahmad Habib Dabai
- Martyr Zakariyya A/Gwado
- Martyr Aisha Mukhtar Kudan
- Martyr Isma’il Bashir Wuci-Ciri
- Martyr Ibrahim Mukhtar S/Gari
- Martyr Salisu Mati Maradi
- Martyr Mujtaba K/Malam Karaye
- Martyr Husaini Muhammad Zabi
- Martyr Nuhu Ya’u
- Martyr Julius Anyawu (Approx. 68yrs Old – A Christian Igbo Man)