I don’t need your apology for killing my children – El-Zakzaky tells Jonathan

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has told President Goodluck Jonathan to hold back his apology over the killing of his three sons and 31 other members of his group, Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

El-Zakzaky lost 34 of his members on July 25 in Zaria, Kaduna State during a clash with the military at a procession to mark the annual Quds Day.

On Monday, the cleric told visiting Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, in Zaria that he expected nothing but justice from the government.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan called him on the telephone to apologise to him on the killings but he rejected it out-rightly. Continue

He said, “You don’t commit murder and say sorry. If that is the case, there is no need for legislation. Whenever one commits a crime, all one needs to do is to say sorry. Why do we have the police, courts and prisons? These murderers are known. I am not blaming the entire military, but I know the killers. They are individuals who answer names. I know their commander is a Lieutenant Colonel who personally shot my children. He stamped on their bodies and stabbed them with knives. This is clearly a crime committed.

“My children were identified as my children before they were tortured to death. This is a crime. I can’t imagine how callous and cruel one can be to murder three children simply because he hates their father. They did nothing”, he said.

He said the Islamic Movement had cause to rejoice over what happened to its members, as they were killed on the path of God.

“You as a Christian believe that Jesus Christ was killed for no offence, but just because he was good. This has been the fate of all good people, such as the Prophets. This is a certificate on our own little way that these people were good, but the corrupt society feels that we should not exist”, he added.

Zakzaky said the perpetrators of the act intended to isolate the Islamic Movement as another “Boko Haram” to create hatred between the group and the public.

“This is why they are referring to us as ‘Shi’ite sect’. We are never a sect, and will never be one. I personally do not recognise a sect; we have never called ourselves a sect. we have never been a sect and will never be. All my life, I never even recognised a sect”, he said.

The Sheikh went on: “They indiscriminately and sporadically shot at everyone and everything, including nearby banks and shops, smashed cars. We also realised that the soldiers used special tiny bullets on the protesters that were not easily detected during first aid treatment on the injured.

“An announcement had already been made that any person injured and discharged from hospital, should go back for cross examination”, he added.