The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has alleged that many of its members were tortured and raped before they were killed by soldiers during the clash with the army in Zaria, Kaduna State last year.
The Public Relatioons Officer of the IMN, which is a Shiite Islamic group, Jamila Awwal, said this while addressing journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Awwal said the soldiers also denied injured members access to medical attention.
She equally called for the unconditional release of the group’s spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
She said: “Some of the women were raped before they were killed by the soldiers as confirmed by some survivors who were also tortured after their arrest.
“The soldiers molested our women and removed their hijabs, which is a serious violation of Islamic rights.
“All these were followed by propaganda by the government and the Army to paint the movement and its leader in a bad light, thereby instigating sectarian sentiment and creating tension in the country.
“The authorities have remained insensitive to our plight as they unjustly continue to keep our revered leader, El-Zakzaky, and members in various military facilities and prisons.
“We call for the release of our husbands and children that are in illegal detention facilities across the northern states.
“Corpses of our members killed by the Army should be released to us immediately for burial according to Islamic rites.”
Awwal also played a video showing the attack on the sect by soldiers at its Huissaniya Islamic centre and the house of Zakzaky.
The video lasted about 22 minutes.
The link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMnzQbnogdk
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