Hold Buhari Accountable For Killing Of Shiites, UN, U.S Told

An estranged chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank, has called on the intentional community to hold the President Muhammadu Buhari administration accountable for the recent killing of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), known otherwise as shiites, by the military.

Mr Frank said the killing of the IMN members in Zuba and Kugbo, Nyanyan, few days ago is allegedly another proof that the Buhari government has zero regard for the rule of law.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in which the United States, British High Commission, France and Germany amongst others were copied, the ex-APC stalwart urged the international community to hold the current administration accountable for alleged violation of “rights to life and peaceful assembly” of Nigerian citizens.

Frank said, “Reports say over 400 were arrested and being detained by the police. While exact casualty and fatalities figures are unavailable at this time, I believe that a high-powered inquiry into the incident by the UN would reveal the true extent of the extra-judicial murders committed by the military against free citizens”, he said.

“Therefore, I call on you to use your good offices to ensure that the incidents are investigated and the army and by extension, the Buhari administration held to account for the gruesome violation of its citizens rights to life and peaceful assembly.

“The extra-judicial killing of the Shia members negates all known UN statues, protocols and resolutions. I urge you to ensure that these violations are not wished away by the Nigerian government over claims by the military authorities they they only responded to undue provocation by the sect.

“The use of live ammunition against innocent protesters constitute crime against humanity which must not be glossed over by the United Nations and other human rights watchdogs across the world.

“To show the level of complicity of the government in Nigeria, the presidency has neither condemned the use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters nor announced any containment measures to prevent its escalation. One thing is clear and I want the UN to take notice of it. The Nigeria government has continued to kill Christians and Shia members unprovoked and unchallenged.

“The UN can stop this ongoing madness by invoking its relevant protocols that punishes crimes against humanity and genocide. It is lamentable to note that the Nigerian government under the present dispensation has since abdicated their primary responsibility which is the security and welfare of the citizens.

“A situation where security forces willfully shoot and kill unarmed Nigerians on a peaceful demonstration shows that state agents are being illegally used to unleash unimaginable terror against Nigerians. I dare say that no President in the history of Nigeria has hated its people like President Muhammadu Buhari has done. No President has ordered and supervised the killing of its citizens from IPOB to Christians and now Shi’ites like President Muhammadu Buhari. This must stop!”