A group, Save Zakzaky’s Life, has renewed its demand for the unconditional release of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky from detention.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 the group gave a seven-day ultimatum to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to release Zakzaky, who is the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN.
Bashir Marafa, who is the national coordinator of the group said they have already begun mobilizing millions of Zakzaky’s followers “to storm [the capital,] Abuja, for what we called ‘MOTHER OF ALL PROTESTS,’ and ‘SIT AROUND IN ABUJA CITY,’ as long as Zakzaky is not released unconditionally, within the next 7 days.”
The group also warned that if the government fails to meet their demand, they will have no other alternative but to call on millions of his followers to take to the streets. It said the sheikh’s supporters will also stage a sit-in until he is released.
Followers of Zakzaky are concerned about his deteriorating health condition. He has been detained since December 13, 2015, when Nigerian forces raided his home and killed three of his sons as well as his wife.
Zakzaky lost three other sons in the summer of 2014 during attacks by Nigerian soldiers on the International Quds day.
Thousands of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) held a peaceful mass protest last week in the capital. Many of the protesters were injured after police attacked the demonstrators and fired tear gas to disperse them.
Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky before and after the attack by Nigerian soldiers. Click on any image below to enlarge
