Islamic movement protests continuous detention of Zakzaky in Minna

Followers of the detained Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky in Niger State yesterday took to streets of Minna to protest the continuous and illegal detention of their leader.

The protesters who are members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) started from the Minna Central Mosque through major streets in the town.They carried placards with inscriptions as Free El-Zakzaky, Enough of the Illegal Detention of Our Leader and Obey Court Order on The Release El-Zakzaky, among others.

Leader of the movement in the state, Ahmad Ibrahim Khalil, said in Minna that his members would continue periodic peaceful protests across major towns until the Federal Government released their leader.

Ahmad said the health of El-Zakzaky had deteriorated overtime while in custody, alleging that the Shi’ite leader has no access to proper medical attention.

He added that the members were not satisfied with the recent propaganda by the Department of State Services (DSS) that El-Zakzaky was healthy and well, saying information available to them indicated that the Shi’ite leader required urgent medical attention.

The Amir wondered why the Federal Government was still holding the Shi’ite leader despite the court ruling ordering his release, adding that government’s action shows arrant disrespect to law and order, which it swore to uphold.He called for El-Zakzaky’s unconditional release and adequate compensation for the violation of his fundamental rights.