Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and their supporters gathered in Kaduna on Sunday to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 2015 Zaria massacre. The tragic event, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Shia Muslims, remains a painful memory for survivors and families of the victims who continue to demand justice.
The massacre occurred during a Maulud celebration in Zaria when IMN members blocked a major highway. This led to a violent confrontation with the convoy of then-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. The Nigerian Army claimed the IMN was attempting to assassinate Buratai, but the group, along with human rights organizations, dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing the incident as an unjustified act of violence aimed at eradicating the IMN.
At the commemoration event, Mohammed Abubakar Abdullahi, the chief organizer, said the gathering was a platform to remember the lives lost and the suffering of survivors.
“This event serves as a painful reminder of the atrocities committed against our members. It is also a call for public sympathy and support for justice,” Abdullahi said.
He expressed gratitude that IMN leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky survived the incident despite what he described as the Army’s deliberate efforts to eliminate the group.
Survivors shared their heartbreaking stories of loss, pain, and the struggles they have faced since the massacre.
Mustapha, who was paralyzed after being shot during the incident, said, “What security agencies did to us on that day was pure injustice. We were practising our religion peacefully and harming no one.”
A widow also spoke about her ongoing challenges.
“I lost my husband in the massacre, and today, I am left to fend for my children without a breadwinner. It has been a tough journey, but we continue to hope for justice,” she said.
The event’s guest speaker, Nasir Hashim, a lecturer at Kaduna State University, delivered a powerful message on the state of justice in Nigeria.
“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 said.
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He expressed deep sorrow over the testimonies of survivors, adding, “The stories 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.”
Hashim also called on Nigerians to demand accountability from those in power, stressing that justice is the foundation for a fair and peaceful society.