The Islamic Movement has sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and five others over allegations bordering on the extra-judicial killing of Ashura mourners in Zaria, Kaduna State.
In the suit number marked: FHC/KD/CS/135/2022, the Islamic group demanded a N200 million damages for each of the two members; Muhsin Badamasi and Zaharaddeen Lawal, alleged to have been killed.
Aliyu Badamasi, on behalf of the group, sued the IGP, AIG Zone 7, CP Kaduna State, AC Surajo Fana, Area Commandant Zaria; Ibrahim Zubairu, DPO of Sabon Gari and Kasim Muhammad, DPO Zaria City as respondents in the case.
The suit was filed on September 26 at the Kaduna Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.
This was made known on Thursday by Dr. Dauda Nalado of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
“We would like to inform the general public that we have filed a suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and 5 others for the extrajudicial killing of Ashura mourners in Zaria.
“The public could recall that on 8th August, 2022, a joint team of Nigeria Army and policemen led by the Area Commandant of Zaria Command of the Nigerian Police Force, together with the DPO of both Kasuwan Mata Sabon Gari and Zaria City Divisions opened fire on Muslims who were conducting peaceful procession to commemorate the Ashura in Zaria,” he alleged.
According to Nalado, the unlawful attack led to the killing of Muhsin Badamasi and Zaharaddeen Lawal.
“We prayed for a declaration by the court that the shooting and killing of Muhsin Badamasi and Zaharaddeen Lawal, while observing their religious act of worship was illegal and a gross violation of their right to life and right to freedom of thought.
“The suit also applied for an order of the court mandating the IGP and 5 others jointly and severally to pay to each applicants the sum of two hundred million Naira only (N200,000,000.00),” he said.