Shi’ites protest prolonged detention of Zakzaky, say ‘we are losing patience’

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) says it is “running out of patience” awaiting the release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, its leader.

Zakzaky has been in detention since the December 2015 clash between soldiers and Shi’ites in Zaria, Kaduna state.

The clash reportedly led to the death of over 300 Shi’ites.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday after embarking on a peaceful protest to the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) in Abuja, Abdulhamid Bello, leader of the protesters, said the government “is being economical with the truth”.

While stating that the movement could not be “waiting for eternity”, Bello said the cruelty of the army could not be described in words.

He said instead of the government to punish the officers behind the heinous act, it rewarded them with promotions. He said Zakzaky and his wife were still held in detention contrary to the court order which granted them bail.

“At the end of their two days murderous mission, they left behind corpses of the young, old and able-bodied men and women in their wake, apart from the wanton destruction of properties worth several hundred millions of naira,” Bello said.

“The government of Buhari is behaving in contempt of the rule of law, telling all and sundry that it is above the law.”

The Shi’ites vowed not to relent on its peaceful protest until government set free their leader.