Shiites Protest In Yobe, Demand The Release Of El-Zakzaky

Reactions have continue to trail the killings of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a group propagating Shia Islam in Nigeria and the arrest of its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by the Nigerian army.

According to a report on Daily Independent, a massive protest was carried out on Monday, January 4, by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the stewardship of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

It was gathered that Shi’ite followers and residents in Gashua, Bade local government area in Yobe state thronged the streets in protest to demand the immediate release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was arrested during the Zaria clash.

Massive Protest In Yobe Over El-Zakzaky’s Detention

A statement by Abdullahi Bin Saidu, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Gashua town, Abdullahi Bin Saidu, reads: “We wish to express our sorrow over the continued detention of our leader by the federal government, it is unfair and unfortunate killing of our followers in Zaria city and detention of Sheikh Zakzaky.

“We strongly condemn this murder not to us alone but entire Muslims in the World, despite their propaganda on strict adherence to the rule of law and constitution, the constitution mandated every citizen freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom of movement without molestation but our blood has continued to flow.

“We call on the authorities concerned to immediately release our leader Zakzaky without any conditions, we want the government to know that Zakzaky has many followers over 20 million in Nigeria.”

The protesters went round some major streets in Gashua town singing songs and carrying photograph of their detained Leader El-Zakzaky while others were carrying placards written ‘free Sheikh Zakzaky’.

On Saturday, December 12, a road, which is the only artery out of Zaria, Kaduna state, towards Sokoto state, was reportedly obstructed by the Shiites. Lt. General Buratai the army chief’s convoy came down to negotiate a passage, but was unsuccessful.

The army claim that Lt. General Buratai himself then alighted from his vehicle to negotiate passage, and this was when the alleged stoning and murder attempt began.

It was when Buratai was allegedly hit that his security detail began shooting in the air to disperse the Shiites.

Later reports suggested that over the following two days, the army attacked Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Shiites, at his residence.

Sources say there were gunshots and explosions through the day and night, and by the end of Sunday, December 13, reports came through that Muhammad Turi, Zakzaky’s deputy, had been killed. Also reported were the deaths of Zakzaky’s wife, a son, and some other senior members of the group as El-Zakzaky was detained by the army.