Shi’ites Accuse Police and Kaduna Gov of Killing 7 Members, Seek Intervention from Akpabio and Ribadu

The IMN, also known as ‘Shiites’, has lodged complaints with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding alleged extra-judicial killings by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the state police commissioner, Mr. Ali Audu Dabigi.

Additionally, the Islamic group has submitted a petition to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Solomon Arase, concerning the reported attacks and killings of its members by the aforementioned individuals.

The Resource Forum of Islamic Movement, representing the Shiites, detailed these allegations in petitions dated April 23, 2024, and signed by the forum’s Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Danladi.

The letters, titled “Petition Against Mr Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State and the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna for Arbitrary Extra-Judicial Killing of Seven and Wounding Over 30 Peaceful Protesters on 5th of April, 2024 in Kaduna and Zaria,” were officially acknowledged on April 30, 2024, and shared with journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

One of the petition copies highlights the actions of the Kaduna State Governor and the Commissioner of Police, alleging that the Nigerian Police used live ammunition against peaceful Pro-Palestinian protesters in Kaduna and Zaria on April 5, 2024, based on their instructions.

Worldwide demonstrations have erupted in response to the tragic deaths of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip at the hands of the Israel Defence Forces, with protests spanning across the USA, UK, France, Germany, and various European countries, as well as within Israel itself.

In Nigeria, similar protests have taken place in multiple states such as Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, and the FCT Abuja, reflecting the global outrage over the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The International Quds Day, observed on the last Friday of Ramadan, has been a longstanding tradition in Nigeria for the past 40 years, with this year’s event occurring on April 5th, 2024, in over 30 cities including Kaduna and Zaria.

While most demonstrations across the country were peaceful, the actions of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police marred the event as he ordered officers to use live ammunition against unarmed protesters, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals.

The use of excessive force by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the Governor is viewed as a violation of the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens, including the right to life and the right to peaceful assembly, threatening to damage Nigeria’s reputation both domestically and internationally if left unaddressed.