Mr. Julius Anyanwu, a Christian gentleman was among the 34 people
killed by the Nigerian Military during the International Quds Day
procession in Zaria on July 25, 2014. He was buried over the weekend
in his hometown, Imo State. Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria,
His Eminence Sheikh Zakzaky sent a delegation to the burial led by
Pastor Yohanna Buru. Abu Jihad was among the delegation, and reports.
The Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Intercessory Fellowship
Ministries, Kakuri Kaduna, Pastor Yohanna D. Buru has disclosed to the
people of Umuobom village under Umuonkwo Autonomous Community in
Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, the killers of one of
their chiefs, late chief Julius Ezem Anyanwu, the Nnanyereugo of
Umunkwo.
Pastor Buru who led a six-man delegation to represent the leader of
the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky at the burial
ceremony of late Chief Anyanwu which took place over the weekend at
Umuobom, told the chiefs, elders, family and leaders of the community
who came from all walks of life to attend the burial ceremony, that
chief Anyanwu was not killed by a Muslim, a Hausa man or a northerner
but by soldiers under the command of a Christian Army Officer, Lt.
col. S. Okuh, all of Southern extraction.
“Contrary to what you may have been told by agents of those that
masterminded the killing of chief Anyanwu, three children of the
Leader of the Islamic Movement and thirty-three innocent and peaceful
members of the movement, on the 25th of July, 2014, the chief was
killed by Christian soldiers under the command of a Christian
commander from the same geopolitical zone with late chief Anyanwu”,
Pastor Buru stressed.
Pastor Buru informed the gathering that chief Anyanwu was shot dead at
close range by the soldiers when he tried to ask them why they were
killing members of the movement who were protesting peacefully against
the brutal massacre of defenseless Palestinians by the blood-thirsty
Israeli soldiers.
Late Anyanwu was overheard telling the soldiers that “these youths
(Shiites) are among, if not the most peaceful and organized set of
Muslims in Nigeria who have been carrying out similar peaceful
protests annually for close to three decades, have never disrupted our
peace during their programmes, so, why shooting them?” . This candid
comment by the chief, according to pastor Buru, did not go down well
with the soldiers and hence decided to turn the gun on him and
consequently brought his life to a halt.
The Pastor who condoled the family of the deceased and the entire
Umuobom Community on behalf of Sheikh Zakzaky, his family and the
entire members of the Islamic Movement for the great loss of their
chief and brother, said giving the circumstances surrounding chief
Anyanwu’s death he died a martyr.
Pastor Buru who prayed for to the Almighty God to give the family of
the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, stressing
that the Islamic Movement will continue to remember late Anyanwu as
its own because he gave his life defending its cause and a popular
justified cause.
He therefore advised the Igbo race to identify with Sheik Zakzaky
because he is the only remaining voice in the country that is
genuinely advocating for justice, love and genuine unity and
sovereignty of the country.
According to pastor Buru, Sheikh Zakzaky remains the only true Muslim
leader who accommodates people of different ethnic and religious
inclination, and who every oppressed needs to align with for
protection, justice and peace.
He cited example of how non-Muslims Igbos, sought refuge for days in
the house of Sheikh Zakzaky during the 2011 post-election crises in
Zaria.
Sheikh Zakzaky’s disciples, he added, provided security to the entire
area where he lives.
Also speaking, leader of Owerri muslim community, and the deputy Imam
of Owerri central mosque, Sheikh Salihu Animashany said challenging
injustice, oppression, and any other crime against humanity is a
divine injunction and whoever died in the process is a martyr.
