Zakzaky’s follower dies in custody

Abbas Isiyaku, one of the followers of Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, has died in prison custody.

The deceased was one of those arrested after the December clash involving IMN members and some soldiers in Zaria.

Dari Bayero, the state prosecutor, informed the Kaduna state high court, of the death of Isiyaku on Wednesday.

The prosecutor told David Wyoms, the presiding judge, to strike out the name of the deceased from the list of the 91 persons charged facing death sentence for “culpable homicide”.

“Before your Lordship is a charge under sections 97, 221, 102,106 and 256 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state for mention,” Bayero said.

“Before we start, I apply that the name of Abbas Isiyaku be struck off the list.”

Two-hundred-and-sixty-six Shi’ites were arrested after the clash. While 256 are facing charges including death sentence, 10 others have been arraigned in different courts in the state.

The leader of the sect is still in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been held since last year.

Series of protests held in demand of his release and that of other members of the sect in detention, have not yielded the desired result.

Many Shi’ites were killed during the rancour, but the military has distanced itself from indiscriminate killings, saying it was forced to apply the rules of engagement to protect the life of Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, whose life was under threat.