Shiite sect demands the release of their leader Sheikh El-Zakzaky ala Nnamdi Kanu

SHIITE sect the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has demanded the release of its leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky in a manner similar to that of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu as a pre-condition for peace talks with the federal government.

 

Over the weekend, at least 20 members of the sect were shot dead in Zaria in a clash with the Nigerian Army, who claimed they planned to assassinate the chief of army staff Lt General Tukur Buratai. Following the clash, 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.

 

Yesterday, members of the sect gathered in Abuja demanded the release of their leader who they said was in need of urgent medical attention. They urged the international community to put pressure on the federal government to release him to them and the remains of their members who died in the attack to enable them bury the dead in accordance with Islamic rites.

 

Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, the leader of the sect in Adamawa State, said Sheikh El-Zakyzaky had called to inform them that he received gun shots in his eyes and other parts of his body and did not know if he would survive the attack. According to Alhaji Abubakar, the attacks on their members took place in three different places and the excuse by the Nigerian Army that the shooting was provoked by an attempt on the life of the chief of army staff was a barefaced lie.

 

He alleged the first attack on members of the movement took place two hours after the chief of army staff and his convoy had been allowed to pass. Alhaji Abubakar further alleged that another attack at the residence of their leaders several kilometres from where the first assault took place, buttressed the claim that they were premeditated.

 

Abdulmumin Giwa, the secretary of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, said: “The soldiers came back two hours after the chief of army staff had passed to unleash the terror. There is also an alternate route he could have passed.”

 

He added that the army could not be a judge in their own case and called for an independent investigation. Dr Chidi Odinkalu, the immediate past chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, expressed concern at the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to make a pronouncement on the issue even though the president was quick to condemn terror attacks in Paris.

 

Members of the movement also demanded compensation for their destroyed property. It is not yet clear how the federal government intends to address these matters, although the Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has set up an enquiry to find out what happened.