The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ites, has called for unconditional release of its members currently in detention since 2013.
The members are Malam Haruna Abbas, Malam Ibrahim Hussaini, and Malam Adamu Suleiman.
The group also called for prosecution of the killers of the three biological sons of Sheikh Zakzaky and 31 other members in 2014.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, the group said it believe President Tinubu will do justice by not only releasing its members who are being held without trials for years, but also prosecute those perpetrators of injustice against shi’ites.
The group highlighted several incidents of persecution, maltreatment, and brutality, including the killing of Sheikh Zakzaky’s sons and the Zaria Massacre, in which over 1,000 people were killed.
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Speaking on behalf of the IMN, Professor Shehu Maigandi, also called for an investigation and prosecution of the mastermind and executors of the Zaria Massacre in accordance with Nigerian laws and relevant international conventions, as well as the unconditional release of Free Zakzaky protesters, Ibrahim Khalid, and 49 others who have been detained since July 22, 2019.
The Shi’ites further demanded the removal of the travel ban on Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife and the unconditional release of their travel documents, which were confiscated by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Department of State Services (DSS) during a medical trip to India.
Prof. Maigandi explained that the press briefing aimed to serve as a reminder to the new government of its responsibility to address past human rights violations and ensure justice for the victims of state-targeted brutality.
According to him, “in view of the foregoing, we therefore demand as follows: unconditional release of the trio of Malam Haruna Abbas, Malam Ibrahim Hussaini, and Malam Adamu Suleiman, who have been in questionable detention since 2013;
“Prosecution of perpetrators of the killing of three biological sons of Sheikh Zakzaky and thirty-one (31) others on July 25, 2014;
“Unconditional release of Malam Hassan Muhammad and other brothers being detained in various detention facilities illegally without trial;
“The investigation and prosecution of the mastermind and executors of the Zaria Massacre in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian laws and relevant International conventions;
“The unconditional release of Free Zakzaky protesters, Ibrahim Khalid and 49 others who have been detained since July 22, 2019; and
“Removal of the travel ban on Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, as well as unconditional release of their travel documents.”
