Ten years after the deadly clash between Nigerian soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, says former President Muhammadu Buhari will face divine judgment for the tragedy.
The 2015 incident, which occurred under Buhari’s administration, began when IMN members blocked the convoy of then-Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria, Kaduna State.
What started as a minor altercation quickly escalated into a brutal military crackdown that led to the eventual banning of the IMN.
Human Rights Watch reported that at least 300 IMN members were killed and secretly buried, while a state-backed commission later put the civilian death toll at over 1,000.
El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were arrested during the crackdown and held in detention until a Kaduna High Court cleared them in 2021.
Speaking at a press conference marking the 10th anniversary, El-Zakzaky criticized the Buhari government and subsequent administrations for failing to publish the commission’s findings or compensate victims’ families.
“Nothing has been done. They do not even acknowledge that anything happened,” he said, noting the report was submitted to the government on September 7, 2016.
He accused the current administration of keeping “total silence” despite earlier promises of justice.
When asked if he had forgiven Buhari, El-Zakzaky said the former president’s chapter was closed.
“As for Buhari, it’s simple. He has passed away. We will meet on the Day of Judgement,” he said.
He recalled that while lying wounded after the attack, one of Buhari’s ministers called him.
“Tell him my greetings. We will meet on the Day of Judgement,” he reportedly responded.
El-Zakzaky insisted the 2015 crackdown strengthened rather than destroyed the IMN.
He said global demonstrations following his arrest helped spread the group’s message worldwide.
He confirmed the IMN has filed a case internationally through the Islamic Human Rights Commission, with all evidence, photos, videos, and documentation, already submitted. “One day the court will look at it,” he said.
Despite government restrictions on public gatherings, El-Zakzaky said the movement will keep operating.
“If they don’t want to see us, they will still see us. If they don’t want to hear us, they will still hear us,” he declared, signaling the group’s determination to remain active under pressure.
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