The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which is an organisation for Shiites, has said its members are ready to lay down their lives for the release of their spiritual leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, who have been in detention since December 2015.
In a statement on Sunday through Abdullahi Musa, who is the Secretary of its Academic Forum, the sect said no amount of bullets and guns would make them give up on their struggle and daily protests on the streets of Abuja.
The group said the killing of its members by the police would not in anyway deter or hinder them from engaging in a mass protest to demand the unconditional release of their leaders.
IMN reminded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, that oppression and tyranny have never solved any problem. They stated that they would attain their mission in a short period of time.
The statement partly read, “Oppression and tyranny has never solved any problem, trumped up or perceived neither, senseless killing of citizens. From Monday 25th to Thursday 28th January, 2021, police operatives assaulted free-Zakzaky protesters with teargas cannisters and live bullets for no reason other than the demand for the release of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Malama Zeenah.
“Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Muhammad Adamu, ought to be reminded of our determination to lay down our lives in order to get what we want. As oppressive and tyrannical as the Buhari regime is, we can’t be daunted by threats, nor death, by whatever means. If what Buhari stage-managed in Zaria in December 2015 did not deter us, what is there to stop us from accomplishing this objective?”
The sect also called on the international community to prevail on the Nigerian government and security agents to thread with caution and stop the senseless killing of its members.
The statement also condemned the alleged killing of two members, Yunusa Abdulsalam and Kabiru Ahmad, by anti-riot policemen during a protest at Transcorp Hilton, and Banex Plaza, both in the FCT last week.
“It is high time police brutality and the waves of bloodletting stopped. Someone should call the Nigeria Police Force to order. Or, is the NPF a law unto itself? Many people were at the receiving end, and there are shreds of evidence to support this.
“They seriously injured numerous protesters who are left with critical gunshot injuries, needing urgent treatment. Unfortunately, these victims may not receive the medical or surgical treatment their conditions require. They get dumped at the SWAT headquarters, they should be released.
“In a beleaguered country under serious siege of bandits and kidnappers, only justice can make the future bright. However, from the look of things, it is already bleak.
“Sheikh Zakzaky (H) was met in his residence, riddled with bullets and his body dragged on the gory corpses of his sons that had been killed in cold blood; his wife sustained several gunshot injuries with bullets shrapnel still lodging in her body. Yet, the couple remain incarcerated, despite their alarming health condition.”
Source: Saharareporters.
