(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Scores of Nigerian students and followers of Sheikh Zakzaky were attacked by security operatives at the National Secretariat, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The peaceful protesters, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, gathered at the federal secretariat, Abuja, to demand the release of their spiritual and popular leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was illegally arrested by the Nigerian government last year.
The Shiite leader has been in detention without trial since over 350 of his followers were killed and hundreds arrested by Nigerian soldiers, in December which faced international condemnation.
On Wednesday, the peaceful protesters were chanting "free our leader free El-Zakzaky". They also chanted solidarity songs.
However, not long after the protesters gathered at the secretariat, security operatives fired tear gas to disperse them.
In a statement signed by S. Ahmad, coordinator of the group in the federal capital territory (FCT), said despite the arrest of Zakzaky and “gruesome human right violation”, the movement still remained peaceful.
“The world is aware of the gruesome murder of over one thousand brothers and sisters of the IMN under the dynamic leadership of his eminence Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky by the Nigerian army between 12th to 14th December, 2015,” the statement read.
“In the attack, many were burnt to death including a biological sister Shaikh Zakzaky and his nephew. Worst still is that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife were shot several times and incarcerated while legal proceedings to gain his freedom is being frustrated by government.
"Amnesty International uncovered a Secret mass grave which later, the Kaduna state government told the Kaduna state JCI commission that it buried 347 IMN members secretly in a mass grave including women and children in a place called mando, Kaduna state.
“Despite this gruesome human right violation, the brutal crackdown on innocent citizens, the arrest of Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and hundreds of other brothers and sisters, destruction of properties, perpetrated by the Nigerian army in Zaria under the watchful eyes of the government and the propaganda instituted by army and the government, seeking to cover up their crime against humanity, the movement still remain peaceful and chooses to follow legal processes.
"We wish to remind the Government that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is a mass Movement of millions of people, a peaceful Movement for nearly forty years with no single record of crime.
"The United Nation Organization made a declaration in its Charter in 1945 for the guarantee of three basic rights: the right to life as sanctity, the right to human dignity and the right to own private property. The Nigerian constitution devoted the whole Chapter IV to Human and other citizens’ rights, including freedom of conscience, the right to choose your religion, freedom of association, freedom of movement and the right to fair hearing.
“The 1999 constitution expressly gave citizens the right to worship and association. In addition to that there are other regional and global protocols guaranteeing such rights.
"Why the Massacre of peaceful students and Nigerian citizens despite their profound contributions in the country?
“We can recall that brothers and sisters of the movement give the highest blood donation in Nigeria. The NBA awarded Shaikh Zakzaky for that. Why the massacre of peaceful students and Nigerian citizens despite their profound contributions in the country?
"Furthermore, between 12th to 14th of October , 2016, no fewer than 15 Nigerian citizens (IMN members ) were killed as they were attacked by the joint security forces and Wahabi Izala thugs in some northern states.
"While commemorating their religious rite Ashura - the Martyrdom of the grand son of Prophet Muhammad (S) Imam Husain (a.s), who was massacred in the plains of Karbala by the Army of Yazid in the year 61AH.
“The academic forum of the IMN hereby calls on the national assembly to facilitate the immediate and unconditional release of the ambassador of peace, Shaikh Zakzaky, his wife and other brothers and sisters detained unjustly in Kaduna and Plateau states including primary school pupils and a university female lecturer.”
while commemorating their religious rite Ashura - the Martyrdom of the grand son of Prophet Muhammad (S) Imam Husain (a.s), who was massacred in the plains of Karbala by the Army of Yazid son of Mu'awiya in the year 61AH.