Calls for investigation after 'massacre' in Nigeria | News24
Lagos - Human rights advocates and the United States called for an investigation following the Nigerian army's raid on a Shi'ite sect in which hundreds of people were reportedly killed.
Details of the weekend violence in Zaria have been slow to emerge, with the three attacked areas of the northern town on lockdown as late as Tuesday, with no one allowed to enter or leave.
"The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to quickly, credibly, and transparently investigate these events in Zaria and hold to account any individuals found to have committed crimes," the US Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.
"It is essential that all sides refrain from actions that further destabilize the situation," US Ambassador James Entwhistle added. He said he expects that a visit to Zaria on Tuesday by Nigeria's interior minister is a first step in a "timely, transparent investigation".
The bloodshed was yet another blow to Africa's most populous nation, already beset by a 6-year-old insurgency waged by Boko Haram, a violent Islamic group which is at odds with the Shi'ites and others who oppose its extremist views.
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@WebMaster @Gasoline @Scorpion
This makes no sense. A cleric was detained by Nigerian army. But SHia's are saying 1,000 Shia were killed by the army. Do you guys believe that? I am afraid every time a radical Shia cleric is arrested Shia's will claim there is genocide against them. Is this a way to intimidate Sunni people and tolerate Iran's imperialism in region? This is getting dangerous because the West is buying such claims and more people are hating Sunni's and wanting to kill us. Shia are putting our people in danger when they make these exaggerations to advance their political agenda.