Release El-Zakzaky now, S’West Shi’ites tell FG

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, on Sunday, asked the federal government to release the leader of the group, Sheikh Ibrahim Yaqoub El-Zakzaky after the court had asked him to be released.

The Southwest Coordinator of IMN, Alhaji Muftau Zakariyah, who spoke at a press conference in Ibadan on Sunday faulted the federal government for not honouring the rule of law.

The leader of IMN, El-Zakzaky has been charged with murder amid growing street protests demanding his release from prolonged detention.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been detained by the government since December 2015 despite court rulings authorising their release.

The regional coordinator of the sect at the press conference after its interfaith symposium on an enduring peace in Nigeria in Ibadan decried the killing of the six sons of their leader and his followers.

He said: “The only thing capable of saving our country today is the observance of the rule of law. If citizens can go to court and seek redress, if police will go after criminals and prosecute them, then citizens would not revert to self-help and jungle justice.

“Today, the government has failed to project Shiites as terrorists, they have failed to prove that we have ever attacked anyone.

“We are advising the government and all people of conscience to make sure that our leader is released according to the rule of law.”