IMN Protests, Demands Release of El-Zakzaky

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite, on Tuesdayin Kaduna protested against the continuous detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by the federal government.

El-Zakzaky and his wife were arrested on December 15, 2015, following a clash between his followers and the Nigerian Army in Zaria.

Over 300 members of the religious group were allegedly killed during the incident by soldiers.
An Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole had in December 2, 2016, ordered for the release of El-Zakzaky and his wife from detention into an accommodation that must be provided for them within 45 days and N50 million be paid to them as general damages.

The judge had ruled that the continued detention of the duo violated their rights under Section 35 (1) of the constitution and provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
However, dissatisfied with the decision of the court, the federal government had in February appealed the ruling of the court.

Hundreds of the Shiite members trooped out for the peaceful procession along the Nnamdi Azikwe Western bypass carrying placards demanding the release of their leader.
They were however dispersed by police who threw teargas at them near Bakinruwa junction.
IMN, in a statement by Ibrahim Musa, its spokesman, alleged that the police opened fire on the protesters, adding that a Muslim woman was severely wounded.

The statement also accused the police for allegedly inviting thugs to attack the Shiite members.
“Eye witnesses confirmed that the police invited some thugs to join them in the attack on IMN members as has been their practice lately.
“However, the peaceful protest was successfully brought to an end before the situation could get out of control.

“IMN leaders have expressed shock and surprise at the use of force by the police in Kaduna on peaceful citizens exercising their civil rights to protest, unlike in other towns and state capitals such as Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Minna and other places where such peaceful ‘free Zakzaky’ protests were held and ended peacefully,” the statement said.

However, all efforts to get the reaction of the police was abortive, as the spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, Usman Aliyu, was not responding to THISDAY phone calls, neither did he respond to text messages sent to his mobile phone.