AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Amnesty International condemned the Kaduna state government’s unlawful demolition of structures belonging to supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
Amnesty International urged the Kaduna state government to halt the plan to further demolish more structures belonging to or used by IMN supporters.
On 21 and 22 May 2023, security agents, Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), and Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) demolished some structures used or belonging to supporters of IMN.
These include 5 schools, 2 residences, and 1 hospital in Kaduna. Similarly, at about 1:30 AM on 23 May 2023, security agents, KASUPDA and KADVS demolished 3 schools in Samaru, Dogarawa, and Babban Dodo communities in Zaria.
The demolitions were carried out without adequate notice nor genuine consultations with the affected persons. These forced evictions appear to be targeted at IMN members. Forced eviction is a gross violation of human rights that deprives people of the right to adequate housing, health care, education, and livelihoods.
Amnesty International is calling on the Kaduna state government to constructively engage in genuine consultations with all affected persons and explore feasible alternatives to evictions. Access to effective remedies and adequate compensation must also be provided to those affected.
In December 2015, the Nigerian government carried out a mass slaughter of hundreds of men, women, and children supporters of IMN in Zaria and attempted cover-up of the crime - demonstrating utter contempt for human life. More than 350 people were killed and many were buried secretly in mass graves.
In October 2018, an investigation by Amnesty International shows the horrific use of excessive force by soldiers and police leading to the killing of at least 45 supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) over two days, as they held a peaceful religious procession around Abuja.
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