Buhari will account for 2015 Zaria ‘massacre’ on judgment day — El-Zakzaky
The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, says the late President Muhammadu Buhari will answer for the 2015 killing of his followers before God on the Day of Judgment.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr El-Zakzaky also faulted the current administration for failing to address the incident or compensate victims, despite earlier promises.
Asked whether he had forgiven the late president, he replied:
“Now, regarding Buhari, it is simple. He has passed away. We will meet on the Day of Judgment. One of his ministers phoned me when I was in blood. I told the minister that I was waiting for my blood to drain so that I would pass, and I sent my greetings to General Buhari. I told him, I hope they will do the government well. We will meet on the Day of Judgment.”
Mr El-Zakzaky said members of the present administration had visited him before assuming office and assured him that losses suffered during the 2015 attack would be compensated.
“They made promises. They didn’t say they would punish the perpetrators, but they promised compensation for destroyed properties. But when they came to power, they said nothing. Nothing has been done. They do not even acknowledge that anything happened,” he said.
He accused authorities of persistent human rights abuses, including denial of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, citing crackdowns in Nigeria and abroad on demonstrations, including those held in support of Palestine.
“All the time, those in authority think they have every right to do anything they wish, and no one should question them. They break people’s rights and don’t care,” he said.
The IMN leader also blamed government officials for the country’s worsening insecurity, insisting that “they would end it if they want to.”
Speaking on preparations for the 10th anniversary of the Zaria incident, Mr El-Zakzaky said the movement will commemorate the tragedy with exhibitions, including still and motion pictures. He said the anniversary will serve as an important archive of what happened and a memorial for the victims.
Reiterating the resilience of the movement, he stated:
“You cannot destroy an ideology with a gun. It is freedom. We are speaking, we are writing, and what we say and write goes to the minds of people, and they accept it. You cannot frighten us with guns.”
He maintained that the movement will continue to assert its ideological and numerical strength while pursuing recognition, accountability, and redress.
