Islamic Movement of Nigeria honors Quds Day victims

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has announced seven days of prayers to honor a group of demonstrators killed by security forces during an anti-Israel protest on the International Quds Day, Press TV reports.

Thirty-two members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were gunned down by Nigerian forces during the pro-Palestine demonstration in the ancient city of Zaria in Kaduna State on July 25.

Three of the victims were the sons of Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, the movement leader, who has said that Nigerian authorities are to be held responsible for the killings.

“This is a deliberate act of murder committed by the Nigerian authority with the intention and knowledge of those in authority. The highest authority in this country ordered it … and that is why none of them has said anything until now,” Zakzaky said.

Nigerian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade has said that the military will investigate the incident.

Among those killed was 18-year-old Syed Mahmud Ibrahim al-Zakzaky. Two other sons of Sheikh Zakzaky were also reportedly arrested and later shot to death in cold blood allegedly by some government soldiers.

Many people in Nigeria now demand a thorough investigation into the fatal incident and the prosecution of the culprits.

This year’s Quds Day demonstrations were held in a number of countries across the world as Israeli warplanes and tanks have been pounding numerous sites inside the besieged Gaza Strip since July 8.

Nearly 1,650 Gazans have so far been killed and 9,000 have been injured in the attacks.