Proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly called Shi’ite on Wednesday said it had suspended a series of protests calling for the release of its detained leader, Mr. Ibraheem el-Zakzaky and will temporarily seek other avenues to secure his release.
Nigeria banned the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) this week and outlawed its demonstrations, after a week of protests in which the group said at least 20 of its members were killed in crackdowns by police. Police gave no death toll.
The group’s leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, has been held since 2015 when government forces killed around 350 people in a storming of its compound and a nearby mosque.
“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria do hereby announce to the general public and the international community that it has temporarily suspended its Free Zakzaky street protests to allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order made by the Federal Government this week.
“It has taken this step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine and we sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now.
“If at all any protest occur anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image and be seen as unruly people rather than as victims of savage oppression since 2015.
“The Islamic Movement wishes to thank both national and international civil rights activists and organisations who have been busy demanding the protection of our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.
“We also thank the press, both national and international, and the social media activists for the full coverage of our activities throughout the struggle for justice.
“We are committed to exploring the new openings we have seen in resolving this protracted issue.
“We therefore reiterate our demand that our leader, his wife and several others in detention be given their freedom denied them since 2015,” said IMN.
The government says IMN incites violence, and a court has given the authorities permission to label it a terrorist organisation. IMN denies it is violent, and says Zakzaky should be released in line with a December 2016 court order.
IMN is the largest Shi’ite organisation in a country where around half of the population is Muslim, overwhelmingly Sunni.
Nigeria considers some Islamist movements to be a security threat after a decade combating the insurgency by Sunni Muslim militant group Boko Haram in which 30,000 people have been killed. The death of Boko Haram’s leader in custody was one of the events that set that group on a violent path.
“We sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now,” said IMN.
On Monday a judge adjourned a bail hearing for Zakzaky until August 5.
With Punch, Reuters reports
