Nigerian Protesters Urge Zakzaky Release
KABUL: (MEP) Nigerian protesters have poured to the streets all over the country to demand the release of prominent Shia cleric and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, local media said.
The demonstrations were held by mostly women in the states of Bauchi, Kano, Yobe and elsewhere on Monday.
Carrying banners and posters of the Shia leader and chanting slogans, the demonstrators called for the immediate and unconditional release of Zakzaky, his wife and hundreds of his followers.
They also called for the immediate release of the dissidents currently being held in Nigerian jails.
Zakzaky has been in police custody since Nigerian forces raided his home on December 13 and arrested him after reportedly killing those attempting to protect him, including one of the movement’s senior leaders and its spokesman.
Nigerian soldiers also attacked Shia Muslims attending a ceremony at a religious center in Zaria at the same day, accusing them of blocking the convoy of the army’s chief of staff and attempting to assassinate him. The Shias have categorically denied the allegations.
Hundreds of members of the religious community, including three of Zakzaky’s sons had been killed following the two attacks.
