A Nigerian court has thrown out a suit brought by a prominent pro-Iranian Shiite cleric against the military for human rights violations, lawyers in the case told AFP Friday. Ibrahim Zakzaky was seeking two billion naira ($5.6 million) in damages over clashes with troops in 2015 that left some 350 of his followers dead in … Read more
Nigeria’s military on Wednesday announced it would look into alleged human rights abuses by troops, including in the fight against Boko Haram, despite having previously dismissed such claims. The chief of army staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, said a special board of inquiry would look into allegations such as those made by Amnesty International and pro-Biafra … Read more
At least eight Nigerian Shia Muslims and one police officer have been killed in clashes with police at a religious procession in Kano city, police say. Many marchers and five police officers were also injured, Police Commissioner Rabiu Yusuf said. The group behind the procession, the Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), has a history … Read more
A number of Nigerian Shia Muslims on a religious procession have been shot during clashes with police in the northern city of Kano, reports say. At least 10 pilgrims were killed, the AFP reported. Police said one officer had died, Reuters reported. The group behind the procession, the Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), has … Read more
At least 11 people have died in clashes in northern Nigeria as Shia Muslims mark an important religious event. Ashura day gatherings, which commemorate the killing of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, were banned in some places, including Katsina state. Witnesses told the BBC that nine people died in the state’s Funtua town when … Read more
When a top-ranking American diplomat visits Nigeria, one might imagine that their first destination would be the commercial hub of Lagos or the seat of the government in Abuja. But when U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry touched down in Africa’s biggest Muslim country, he did so in Sokoto, a relatively small state that … Read more