“Can anything be worse? Is it a crime to be a Shia Muslim? How can one explain or rationalise this level of barbarity and cruelty?” Femi Fani-Kayode, Monday, sought answers to the alleged killings of five children belonging to a woman in various attacks in what is known as Zaria massacre.
A mother and one of the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as ‘Shiites,’ Hajiya Jumai Karofi, has narrated how she lost five of her children to various attacks on the sect including herself who was shot five times at different times in Zaria, Kaduna state.
According to Hajia Karofi, one of her sons still go about with bullet in his chest as a result of the unfortunate incidents.
Fani-Kayode, a one-time Minister of Aviation tweeted “As a mother, I lost five of my children during the Zaria massacre and one of my sons is carrying a bullet in his chest right now”- Jumai Karofi.
The leader of the group Ibraheem El-zakzaky, was arrested and detained in 2015 following a violent clash between his group and the Nigerian Army. Despite the various court rulings for the release of the leader, Federal Government remains adamant.
Speaking with Blueprint correspondent in Abuja at a gathering to honour their members described as ‘fallen heroes and martyrs’ allegedly killed by security operatives across the country, Hajia Karofi, said nothing would make her change her mind to the cause of the movement.
“Today we are commemorating and remembering our martyrs. I as a mother have lost five of my children during the Zaria massacre and one of my son is carrying a bullet in his chest right now and also I was shot several times as you can see when I was coming they have to hold my hands because of the extent of my pain,” Karofi stated.
The protesters who came from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Kebbi states, were seen wielding portraits photographs of their fallen members and chanting anti-government songs.
