Islamic Shiites under the aegis of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN has on
Friday protested over the continuous detention of it leader, Ibrahim
Zakzaky, saying that the confinement of it leader by the government
after being granted a bail by court, is illegal.
The protesters, who stormed the city chanting “government, free our
leader, free Zakzaki, we are not terrorists, we are Nigerians, we demand
justice,” also blocked major roads in Kaduna metropolis, thereby
causing traffic gridlock.
A press statement titled “a prisoner of conscience at 66,” signed by
Shiek Abdulhamid Bello, one of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria’s leader,
to celebrate the birthday of Zakzaki reads: “The inhuman treatment
meted out to our leader Shiekh Zakzaki is exceptionally horrific. Not
only was he multiply shot, fatally wounded and detained without adequate
medical attention, he is being held against the rulings of a competent
court in the land.
“As
the sheikh clocks 66 blessed years today, we yet again troop out to
show our vehement displeasure at the continued incarceration of our
leader. We are out to lament at the way the Nigerian government is
mishandling one of its most prominent elder.”
Aliyu Umar, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said attempts have
been made severally, demanding for the unconditional release of their
detained leader, Zakzaki as his health condition is getting worse and
depleting daily, but all effort was to no avail.
“One of his eyes is blind due to torture, and it’s up to a year that
they killed his children and demolished his belongings. Despite court
orders to release our leader, and pay a fine of 50 million Naira for
damages done, the federal government insisted not respect the rule of
law,” he said
As the situation is getting out of hand, Umar however called for the
world’s assistance in ensuring that court’s order is respected and their
leader held in captive is been released.
“Since they are pushing us to the wall, we promise to keep on protesting until justice is served,” he added.
The Guardian