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Members of Islamic Movement In Nigeria (IMN), Shiites have vowed to continue protest against the detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, despite efforts by security forces to stop them at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Besides, the Islamic group called on all Nigerians to join them in their current protest to end what they called reign of terror and abuse of power by President Muhammad Buhari’s administration.
According to them, a contingent of combat ready policemen, led by Abuja Police Commissioner, armed with dangerous weapons, batons, shields, hot water cannon and dogs, on Friday, took over the Unity Fountain with the intent of stopping the daily ‘Free Zakzaky Sit Out’ convened by a coalition of groups led by the Concerned Nigerians.
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A statement by the Islamic group, signed by IMN’s spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, yesterday read: “They used teargas to disperse the people and the Police Commissioner arrested the convener of the sit out, Prince Deji Adeyanju and detained him for some hours with neither justification nor charges.
“These acts of intimidation and harassment of the highest order are despicable and a complete affront on our rights to peaceful assembly and protest and we condemn it in its entirety.
“Throughout the 85 days since the commencement of the Daily Sit Out, and indeed for the entire period of the Free Zakzaky campaign, protesters have conducted themselves in the most peaceful manner. Notwithstanding official sabotage and violent (often fatal) attacks by security forces on protesters, we have never resorted to violent methods to pursue our goals.”
