The academic forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as the Shi’ite group has alleged that the leader of the group Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who has been in detention since December 2015 is going blind man and slowly crippled contrary to claims by those holding him.
Recalled that Sheikh Zakzaky was arrested and has been in detention with the Department of State Security (DSS) following a clash between members of his group and the Nigerian Army since December 2015.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, leader of the academic forum, Shuaibu Isa Ahmad said they are deeply concerned and worried about the present health condition of their leader who he said needs urgent medical attention.
According to the forum, “constitutionally, it is mandatory for the Nigerian state and those holding him to release him urgently and unconditionally to enable him seek for proper medical care in any place of his choice, since he has not committed any crime. He should be freed from this illegal detention, holding him hostage is unconstitutional, it is a clear violation of his basic rights and therefore unacceptable.
“We are calling on Nigerians and the international community to join us and stand for the truth, justice and fairness. Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife and the rest of the one hundred and ninety one (191) innocent citizens should be released immediately and unconditionally.
“It could be recalled that on July 25th, 2014, officers of the Nigerian Army led by Col. S.O Okuh tortured and murdered in cold blood, 34 of our brothers and sisters including three sons of Sheikh Zakzaky (H)Ahmad, Hamid and Mahmud. Additional three sons of the reverred Sheikh, Hammad, Ali Hydar and Humaid were massacred in his presence. This is indeed gross violation of fundamental human rights of fellow Nigerian citizens.”
The forum also stressed that, it is a fact that murder, massacre, unjust imprisonment or detention, rape and torture are all crimes against humanity.
“Following the massacre, over 472 women are now widows, over 1000 born to widows, 191 are still in prison custody, 2 died in prison and 68 of them are students, and over 300 were hospitalised with various degrees of injuries while many were burnt to death.”
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