Police boss confirms that Shiite leader Sheikh El-Zakzaky is in custody receiving treatment

NIGERIA'S inspector general of police Solomon Arase has confirmed that the leader of the Shiite sect the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is in custody and receiving treatment at a medical facility.

 

Over a week ago, at least 20 members of the Shiite sect were shot dead in Zaria in a clash with the army, who claimed they planned to assassinate the chief of army staff Lt General Tukur Buratai. Following the skirmish, soldiers returned to Sheikh El-Zakzaky's house to arrest him where a further altercation occurred, believed to have led to the death of his wife Zeenat and his son Aliyu.

 

Condemned internationally as an abuse of human rights, the attack on the Shiites and arrest of Sheikh El-Zakzaky has attracted demonstrations worldwide. To address the concerns, Mr Arase met with members of a special committee of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday to update them on developments.

 

Last week, the NSCIA formed a seven-man committee, with Daud Naibi as chairman and Muzammil Hanga, Abubakar Tsav, Ibrahim Suleiman, Yusuf Ali, Abubakar Siddique and Ishaq Oloyede as members. Their committee was mandated to meet all parties involved in the clash and report to the council.

 

During the meeting with Mr Arase and all the deputy and assistant inspector general's of police and state police commissioners in Abuja, the NSCIA delegation sought to know the whereabouts of the Shiite leader. Mr Arase admitted to them that Sheikh El-Zakzaky was in police custody receiving treatment but he could not yet grant anyone access to him until his health improves.

 

He added that Sheikh El-Zakzaky was doing well and was not in a life-threatening condition. However, Mr Arase pointed out that he would have to seek orders from the above before allowing the NSCIA delegation access to the sect leader.

 

Mr Arase reports directly to President Muhammadu Buhari and at times through the national security adviser. Apart from seeking to be allowed access to Sheikh El-Zakzaky, the NSCIA delegation also requested that the bodies of those killed in the clash to be released to their families for burial.

 

In addition, the delegation also demanded to know the exact number of those killed and injured in the clash and wanted access to the injured. In his response, Mr Arase promised he would revert to the NSCIA after seeking permission on the best way deal with the delegation’s requests.