El-Zakzaky: NHRC Charge Federal Government To Negotiate With Shiites

Following the recent killings of a Deputy Commissioner of Police and a National Youth Service Corps member by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria during a protest, the National Human Rights Commission has called on the Federal Government to negotiate with Shiites over their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

The Commission condemned the clashes between the movement and the security agencies which have resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property.

The group in a statement claimed that the death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman Umar; a Channels Television journalist, Precious Owolabi; some protesters and others who sustained various degrees of injury in the recent incident, called for serious and urgent action to address the situation.

NHRC in a statement through Mr Lambert Oparah, the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at NHRC stated, “The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has viewed with great concern the incessant clashes between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, and security agencies, which have resulted in the loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.”

“Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones on Monday in another clash between the protesting IMN members and the Police in Abuja.”

“The death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command; DCP Usman Umar, a Channels Television journalist, Precious Owolabi; some protesters and others who sustained various degrees of injury in that incident calls for serious and urgent action to address the situation.”

The commissioner noted that it is time for the Federal government and the leaders of the Islamic movement to negotiate rather than employ conflict.

“The Executive Secretary reiterated the commission’s call on government and the leaders of the Islamic Movement to consider dialogue as the best option in this conflict.”

“In a crisis of this nature, human right is usually the casualty and as a national institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, we are very concerned that this conflict if not handled peacefully may result in monumental human rights and humanitarian crises.”

“He said the commission called for speedy trial of the Shi’ite leader, El-Zakzaky, and government to ensure he receives adequate treatment against the consistent claim by his supporters of his state of health.”

“The NHRC has been at the forefront of finding solution to the protracted conflict between the IMN and the government over the conflict that has lasted for more than four years.”

Recall that Naija News had earlier reported that the Nigeria government and Shiites are negotiating over the release of their leader.