Nigerian protesters call for release of Sheikh Zakzaky

Thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets to demand the release of imprisoned Shia cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.

According to Press TV, the demonstrators, mostly women, staged a rally in the northeastern city of Bauchi on Monday, denouncing the incarceration of the cleric, his wife and hundreds of other Muslims as illegal.

They also called for the immediate release of the dissidents currently being held in Nigerian jails.

A similar protest was also held in the town of Yauri in the northwestern state of Kebbi.

On December 12 last year, Nigerian soldiers attacked Shia Muslims attending a ceremony at a religious center in Zaria, 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.

The following day, Nigerian forces also raided Zakzaky’s home and arrested him after reportedly martyring those attempting to protect him, including one of the IMN’s senior leaders and its spokesman.

The two attacks led to the martyrdom of hundreds of members of the religious community, including three of Zakzaky’s sons.

The IMN has vowed to continue its peaceful campaign to secure the release of Sheikh Zakzaky and the other detainees.

ME