Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) are demanding for the unconditional release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky from detention without further delay.

In a statement issued by their spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, the Shiites kicked against the explanation given by the Department of State Services (DSS), that Zakzaky is in “protective custody” and being detained in his own volition, wondering why the same DSS has refused to grant him access to his legal team for some months now.

Sheik Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat have been in DSS detention since December 12, 2015, following his arrest after his members clashed with soldiers in Zaria, where several people lost their lives.

The statement also called on the Federal Government to release Sheikh Zakzaky without any condition and without further delay, insisting that it is only Zakzaky’s release that will explain the mystery of him being in “protective custody.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria won’t accept this protective custody explanation of the DSS, since for some months now it has refused to grant the Sheikh access to his leading counsel, Mr. Femi Falana. For the submission of the DSS before the court to gain any merit, it should with all urgency allow the lawyers of Sheikh Zakzaky to meet and talk to him.

“People with conscience all over the world were baffled, when on Tuesday 15th June, 2016 the Directorate of State Services, DSS mentioned before a Federal High Court in Abuja that it is holding the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, in protective custody in order to fend him off from those who are hell bent on murdering him.

“That Directorate of State Services has also confirmed that Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat Ibraheem, were never handed over to the Police for any form of investigation or interrogation.

“But isn’t it ridiculous to detain an innocent Sheikh? Where in our books and the laws setting up that Directorate of State Services is it mentioned that a person who has not committed any offence and without any prima facie evidence links to the commission of an offence should be detained indefinitely? Indefinite detention and detention without trial are only associated with military regimes and not democratic regimes.

“Secondly the DSS is admitting there are some people in the corridors of power who want to extra judicially kill Sheikh Zakzaky, hence it’s giving him “protective custody”. As a follow up question, why didn’t the DSS mention the name of those it is accusing of wanting to see the Sheikh dead? Are they sacred cows that the public would not be told their names? But it is public knowledge already that the GOC of One Mechanised Division Kaduna gave the order on behalf of the Nigerian Army that a cordon and search operation be carried out in Zaria that ultimately led to many crimes against humanity. Is the DSS now telling the Nation that it is protecting Sheikh Zakzaky from the murderers in the Nigerian Army?

“It can be inferred also from the statement of the DSS before the court that all the allegations proffered by the army on why it carried out the massacre in Zaria are all false accusations,” the statement said. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Zakzaky.

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