El-Rufai Appoints Commission To Investigate Zaria Massacre

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has announced the members of a Judicial Commission Inquiry commission tasked with investigating the December 12, 2015 clash between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the army in Zaria.

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Governor of Kaduna state Nasir El-Rufai

The clash, which led to the deaths of up to 1000 civilians, allegedly began after Islamic Movement members set up a blockade, according to the Nigerian army.

However, human rights organisations said that the military had launched the massacre without provocation, intending to kill as many as possible.

READ ALSO:  Bloodbath In Zaria: Over 800 Were Killed - Sect Speaks

A statement by El-Rufai’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the commission will be chaired by Presiding Judge of the Port-Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Garba.

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Director of the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies, Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Bala Babaji, has been appointed as secretary of the commission.

The commission has been established under Section 2 of the Kaduna State Commission of Inquiry Law, 1991.

El-Rufai signed the instrument establishing the commission of inquiry which is expected to submit its final report six weeks after its first public sitting.

According to the full text of the instrument, “the commission will determine the immediate causes of the clashes, examine the historical circumstances and contributory factors of the clashes and to ascertain the number of persons killed, wounded or missing during the clashes.

“The commission of inquiry will also identify the actions of persons, institutions, federal and state actors, and determine whether such actions were necessary, appropriate and sufficient in the circumstances in which they occurred.”

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The other members of the commission include Prof. Salihu Shehu, a lecturer at Bayero University; Prof. Umar Labdo, a lecturer at Northwest University; Malam Salihu Abubakar, a former director of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services at Ahmadu Bello University; Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, an accomplished professor of law, and former Special Adviser on Legal Matters during the Abacha government, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Gambari, a former foreign affairs minister, was also Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and headed the UN department of Political Affairs.

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