The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) commemorated the 9th anniversary of the 2015 Zaria massacre on Sunday, recalling the tragic loss of hundreds of Shia Muslims in a violent clash with the Nigerian Army.
The event, which took place in Kaduna, offered a platform for victims and their families to share their experiences and call for justice.
The massacre occurred during a Maulud celebration in Zaria when IMN members blocked a major highway, resulting in a confrontation with a convoy led by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
The Nigerian Army accused IMN members of attempting to assassinate Buratai, a claim strongly denied by the IMN and human rights organizations.
They argue that the attack was a premeditated act of violence aimed at destroying the IMN.
At the commemoration, victims shared their painful stories. One man, Mustapha, who was paralyzed after being shot, recalled, “What security agencies did to us on that day was pure injustice.
We were peacefully practicing our religion and harming no one.”
A widow described her life after losing her husband in the massacre: “I lost my husband that day, and now I must raise our children alone without a breadwinner.”
Guest speaker Nasir Hashim, a lecturer at Kaduna State University, expressed outrage over the lack of justice in the country.
He emphasized the importance of citizens actively demanding accountability: “Here in Nigeria, we don’t have justice because leaders benefit from injustice.
Justice cannot come on its own; people must seek it the same way they seek freedom.”
Hashim added, “The testimonies from victims of the Zaria massacre brought tears to my eyes. It shows that innocent people can be killed without consequences.
The solution to prevent such incidents lies in ensuring justice for all.”
As the anniversary passed, the call for justice continues to resonate.
The IMN and its supporters insist that accountability must be pursued to prevent future tragedies and ensure the protection of human rights.
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