The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as the ‘Shi’ites’ have filed a suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and five others for the extrajudicial killing of Ashura mourners in Zaria and Soba town respectively.
The first suit is in number FHC/KD/CS/135/2022 titled Aliyu Badamasi vs IGP and five others.
In the suit, they prayed for a declaration by the court that the shooting and killing of Muhsin Badamasi and Zaharaddeen Lawal, while observing their religious act of worship was illegal and a gross violation of their right to life and right to freedom of thought.
An order of the Court mandating the IGP and five others jointly and severally to pay to each applicant the sum of N200 million.
The suit was filed on September 26, 2022 at Kaduna Judicial Division of the Federal High Court with IGP, AIG Zone 7, CP Kaduna State, AC Surajo Fana Area Commandant Zaria, Ibrahim Zubairu Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sabon Gari, and Kasim Muhammad DPO Zaria City as respondents in the case.
It was contained in a press release by Dr. Dauda Nalado of the Academic Forum of the Islamic movement dated the 29th September, 2022.
It reads in part: “The public could recall that on 8th August, 2022 a joint team of Nigeria Army and Policemen led by the Area Commandant of Zaria Command of the Nigerian Police Force together with the DPO of both Kasuwan Mata Sabon Gari and Zaria City Divisions opened fire on Muslims who were conducting peaceful procession to commemorate the Ashura in Zaria.
“The unlawful attack led to the killing of Muhsin Badamasi and Zaharaddeen Lawal.”
In a related development, another four suits have equally been filed against the same IGP and three others in connection with alleged attack and killing of four Shites namely Zaharaddeen Lawal, Aminu Abdulkadir, Mubarak Iliyasu and Musa Adamu.
The victims were allegedly killed by Policemen while observing their religious acts of worship which inter alia include Ashura procession in Soba town of Kaduna State on August 28, 2022.
The former DPO of Soba is among the four respondents in the suits.
