Islamic group alleges plot to arrest, kill leader El-Zakzaky

CLERICS and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have expressed fear over the safety of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky when he returns to Nigeria after visiting Iran and Iraq on a religious mission.

   El-Zakzaky, who is yet to land on the shores of the country from Middle East, according to some leaders of the Islamic Movement has allegedly been slated for arrest by the Federal Government for breach of diplomatic rules and regulations.

   A disciple and one of the leaders of the Islamic Movement, otherwise referred to as Shiites Islamic sect by many northerners, Malam Muhammad Mahmud Turi, however, cautioned the government against the arrest of El-Zakzaky on his return to Nigeria after his trips to Iran and Iraq.

   In a statement by the spokesman of the Islamic group, Malam Ibrahim Usman, Turi said “the Islamic movement has uncovered the plans by the Federal Government to arrest or assassinate Sheikh El-Zakzaky on his return to the country after his trip and… we caution government of the dire consequences of the planned action.”

   Reacting to the alleged plot, Malam Turi said “the plan was a conspiracy and master-minded by the so-called superpower countries, whose interests Nigerian government is desperately working to satisfy”, stressing that “none but them will benefit from the action; it is indeed an ill wind that will blow nobody any good.”

   According to Turi, “the negative propaganda and assassination attempts on Sheikh Zakzaky will hold no water, as he has been widely acclaimed as a genuine embodiment of peaceful co-existence, not only among Muslims but also among people from different religious background.”

   Besides, the Islamic Cleric who cited example of the Quds Day massacre in Zaria, in which Sheikh Zakzaky’s three sons were brutally murdered stated: “Sheikh demonstrated exemplary restraint which is a sign of good leadership. He calmed the people down in the aftermath of the military atrocities on members of the Islamic Movement. The world commended this effort by a highly respected leader.”

   Malam Turi described as foolish and useless any plan to assassinate Sheikh Zakzaky saying, “Attack on the Sheikh is attack on millions of people around the world and if you want to kill Sheikh Zakzaky, you should also be prepared to kill millions of people whose body and soul are attached to him.”

   To him, the alleged plot was nothing but an attempt to further plunge the country into chaos for the selfish interests of a few.

Meanwhile, the statement also pointed out that Zakzaky “is currently on a visit to Iraq, having been in Iran on a special visit where he was honoured by a foundation as a father of three martyrs during the 2014 Quds massacre by the Nigerian military in Zaria, Nigeria.”