HRW accused Nigerian officials of deliberately killing hundreds of Shia Muslims; sexually abusing Boko Haram victims

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Human Rights Watch has accused the Nigerian Army of deliberately shooting dead more than 350 Shia Muslims in December last year in Zaria. The killing of hundreds of Shia Muslim members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), by Nigerian army soldiers from December 12 to 14, 2015, appears to have been wholly unjustified. 

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is based in Zaria, Kaduna state. It began in the 1980s and is led by Sheik Zakzaky. The movement has an estimated 15 to 20 million followers spread across Nigeria. It is separate from Boko Haram, a radical Islamic group also operating in northern Nigeria, whose members have attacked Shia and others.

The attack on the Shia in Zaria follows a well-documented pattern of serious human rights abuses against civilians by Nigerian security forces, including for mass arrests, prolonged detention without trial, cruel and inhuman treatment, torture of detainees, and extra judicial killings.

Human Rights Watch has also accused Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for victims of Boko Haram in the war-torn northeast.

HRW said in July it documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven internally displaced persons' (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, the epicentre of the seven-year Islamist insurgency, who had been abused by camp leaders, policemen, and soldiers.

"It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram," said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW. "It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them."

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari ridiculously claimed he was "worried and shocked" by the report and directed police to "immediately commence investigations into the issue".

"The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his Government!," presidency spokesman Garba Shehu claimed, adding that the reports raised by Human Rights Watch "are not being taken lightly".

Four of the victims told HRW they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.

"Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents," the global rights body said.

Amnesty International has reported that the Nigerian military "committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in its response to Boko Haram".




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