Group opposes call for Zakzaky’s release, wants him prosecuted

A human rights group, Justice and Peace Movement (JPM), has opposed the call for the release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

The sect leader was arrested in 2015, following a clash between IMN members and the military.

Zakzaky’s detention has sparked an outrage, with many, especially his followers, calling for his release.

But addressing journalists after his group stage a rally in Lagos on Friday, Kola Salawu, JPM director, said the sect leader should be charged to court.

“We want to categorically condemn and oppose the call for the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibraheem El Zakyzaky, despite the overwhelming case of incitement to violence and terrorism built against him,” he said.

“A judicial panel found his organisation to be heavily militarised. There are videos of his members training for military combat. His members had attacked troops and killed a soldier, and they have threatened mayhem on the country.

Is this the man that some characters in Nigeria with foreign support are canvassing unconditional release for?”

Salawu appealed to the federal government not to succumb to pressure from the international community.

He said releasing Zakzaky without trial would not only send a wrong signal across, but embolden groups who have scores to settle with the government to take the law into their hands.

“If El Zakyzaky is released without trial as being demanded, we would be compelled to extend the same sick courtesy to make that the norm for others with attendant risks,” he said.

“Our march today, is therefore to demand that El Zakyzaky and other IMN members arrested for terrorism related cases must be prosecuted. IMN’s foreign sponsors must stop taking Nigeria for granted as we must not join the league of countries whose security agencies know extremist groups and still leave them to carry out attacks before executing them to show they are working. Nigeria’s option of preventive approach to fighting terror must be respected.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the ill-advised attempts by the Shiite to denigrate the office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the incumbent occupant refused to be browbeaten into compromising citizens’ safety. Professor Yemi Osinbajo merely stated the fact when he said El Zakyzaky remains in detention because there is an appeal against the order which released him. It is therefore unacceptable for any group or individuals to vilify the Vice President for simply standing by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”