Open Letter To President Buhari: Executing Terrorists Without Trial Equals To Murder!

Editor’s note: Jaafar Jaafar, Abuja-based blogger, addresses President Muhammadu Buhari with an open letter, following the clashes between the Nigerian army and the members of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Zaria, Kaduna state, resulting in massacre of several hundreds of people.

I as a concerned citizen of Nigeria write to register my displeasure over the killing of the defenseless Nigerian citizens by the Nigerian Army over the weekend in Zaria.

I am sure you have received a briefing on the incident from your national security adviser. I know that all internal and external security challenges with pictorial attachments are captured in your daily bulletins. I know your media office highlights all major issues for you on the press clippings. As an addict of the international Hausa radio services, you may have heard the lead stories regarding your country. I am sure you know more than anybody else what happened in Zaria.

May I inform you, by the means of rehash, that the armed soldiers laid siege to the residence of the Shiite movement leader in Nigeria, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, killed hundreds of people, demolished his house and bombed the group’s sanctuary over the weekend.

READ ALSO: Zaria Massacre: They Killed Thousands Of People, We Have Evidence – Islamic Movement Speaks Out

Permit me to tell you that my heart was bleeding when I spoke to a friend of mine, working at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika. He said 172 bodies, including those of women and children, were registered in that hospital alone, adding that dozens of other bodies were deposited in other hospitals. I know your commitment to the fight against terrorism, however, I doubt if the Nigerian troops have killed 172 Boko Haram insurgents, in spite of your spirited efforts, in the last six months.

Sir, the magnitude of the Zaria crackdown tells us that such operation could not have been executed without the order of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

May I kindly remind you of the principle of tacit admission hinged on an ancient maxim of the common law saying: “Silence gives consent”? Dear Mr President, your deafening silence was construed as your consent even by some of your fanatical supporters.

READ ALSO: Zaria Bloody Clash: Buhari Keeps Mute 48-Hour After Raid

Sir, I am surprised that as a person who repeatedly condemned the killings of civilians, particularly in the North-East, you are now observing such atrocities happening under your watch – and even command – without uttering a word.

I hope I would not bother you too much if I reproduce some of your words during the interview admonishing the late Umaru Yar’Adua for killing the members of Boko Haram without subjecting them to trial.

READ ALSO: Zaria Massacre: Investigate The Killings Now – AI

“The appropriate thing to do,” you said during the June 2, 2013 interview, “according to the law, was for the police to carry out investigations and charge him (Mohammed Yusuf) to court for prosecution, but they killed him, his in-law was killed, they went and demolished their houses. Because of that, his supporters resorted to what they are doing today.”

I remember joining you to criticise your predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, for silence and failure to act over the abduction of 200 school girls.

I am shaking my head in disbelief now that you have kept silent days after at least 200 people were massacred in Zaria.

You may read the message in its entirety on Premium Times.

Jaafar Jaafar is a columnist and PR consultant based in Abuja. Follow him on Twitter.

This article expresses the author’s opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com or its editors.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@naij.com, more details for prospective writers in Naij.com’s step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

Contact us at info@naij.com if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp +234 814 650 9067.

The post Open Letter To President Buhari: Executing Terrorists Without Trial Equals To Murder! appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.