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Ten years after the deadly clash between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, says former President Muhammadu Buhari will answer for his actions on the Day of Judgement.
The late Buhari was in office when what began as a minor confrontation between soldiers and IMN members escalated into a full-blown crisis that ultimately led to the proscription of the movement. The incident started after IMN members blocked the convoy of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was heading to a passing-out parade in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Soldiers forcefully dispersed the worshippers, who reportedly resisted, triggering a violent confrontation.
In the days that followed, the military launched further operations against IMN members. Human Rights Watch reported that 300 people were killed and secretly buried, while a state-backed judicial commission of inquiry later concluded that more than 1,000 civilians—mostly IMN members—lost their lives.
El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were detained after the incident and remained in custody until 2021, when a Kaduna State High Court discharged and acquitted them of all charges.
Speaking at a press conference marking a decade since the incident, El-Zakzaky criticised the Buhari administration and subsequent governments for failing to release the judicial commission’s report or offer acknowledgement or compensation to affected families.
“Nothing has been done. They do not even acknowledge that anything happened. Even though a judicial commission of inquiry was set up and submitted its report on 7th September 2016, nothing came out of it. The president at the time said he was following the matter with rapt attention, but he finished his first and second terms and said nothing,” he stated.
He added that the current administration, despite earlier assurances that it would address the issue and compensate victims, had maintained “total silence.”
When asked whether he had forgiven Buhari, El-Zakzaky replied:
“As for Buhari, it’s simple. He has passed away. We will meet on the Day of Judgement. I remember when I was shot and in blood, one of his ministers phoned me. I said, tell him my greetings. We will meet on the Day of Judgement. The equation of Buhari is over.”
Speaking on expectations from the current government, he said authorities did not need to be pressured to correct past wrongs.
“We don’t have to demand. They know a wrong was done,” he insisted.
El-Zakzaky maintained that the massacre failed in its aim to silence the IMN. According to him, the attempt to “destroy an ideology with a gun” only amplified the movement’s message globally. He noted that worldwide protests that followed his arrest helped draw attention to their cause.
Asked whether he was open to dialogue with the government, he responded:
“Why not? They know talk is possible. But actions are another thing.”
He also disclosed that the IMN had initiated legal proceedings at the international level through the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
“All the facts, pictures, videos, speeches are there. One day the court will look at it,” he said.
El-Zakzaky reaffirmed that the movement would continue its activities despite restrictions on event centres and public gatherings.
“If they don’t want to see us, they will still see us. If they don’t want to hear us, they will still hear us,” he declared.
