“As for Buhari… we’ll meet on the Day of Judgement” – El-Zakzaky talks tough over Zaria massacre
Ten years after the deadly confrontation between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), the group’s leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has said former President Muhammadu Buhari will “give account on the Day of Judgement” for the events that occurred under his watch.
The confrontation happened during Buhari’s administration and began as a minor dispute before escalating into a major crisis that led to the proscription of the IMN.
The incident started when IMN members blocked the convoy of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was heading to a passing-out parade in Zaria, Kaduna State.
El-Zakzaky faults Buhari, others for silence on inquiry report
According to reports, soldiers forcefully dispersed the worshippers, who resisted, leading to days of military operations against the group.
Human Rights Watch stated that at least 300 IMN members were killed and secretly buried, while a state-backed judicial commission later reported that more than 1,000 civilians were killed in the crisis.
El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were arrested afterwards and remained in detention until 2021, when a Kaduna High Court discharged and acquitted them.
Speaking at a press conference marking a decade since the incident, the cleric criticised Buhari’s administration and those after him for failing to release the commission’s report or offer compensation to families of victims.
“Nothing has been done. They do not even acknowledge that anything happened,” he said, recalling that the commission submitted its report on 7 September 2016 without any government action.
He added that the current administration, which previously assured IMN of justice and compensation, had also maintained “total silence.”
‘We will meet on the Day of Judgement’
When asked whether he had forgiven Buhari, El-Zakzaky said the former president’s “equation is over,” adding that accountability would come in the hereafter.
“As for Buhari, it’s simple. He has passed away. We will meet on the Day of Judgement,” he said.
He also recounted that one of Buhari’s ministers called him while he lay wounded, and he said, “Tell him my greetings. We will meet on the Day of Judgement.”
IMN says massacre did not silence its movement
El-Zakzaky argued that the attempt to “destroy an ideology with a gun” only strengthened the IMN, noting that global demonstrations following his arrest amplified the group’s message worldwide.
He confirmed that the movement had already filed a case internationally through the Islamic Human Rights Commission, saying, “All the facts, pictures, videos, speeches are there. One day the court will look at it.”
Asked about the possibility of dialogue with the government, he responded: “Why not? They know talk is possible. But actions are another thing.”
IMN vows to continue activities
Despite restrictions on event centres and public gatherings, the IMN leader insisted the group would not be silenced.
“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.
