Shiite members on a protest

Where is Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, otherwise known as Shiite Muslims?

Since he and his wife were arrested on 14 December  2015  by soldiers only a state lawyer claimed to have seen him and his followers frustrated by denial of access have boycotted a Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government to probe the clash between his followers and the Nigerian military.

Frustrated followers just as they have done many times, took to the highway near Zaria today, waving banners demanding “Free Zakzaky!”.

The protest comes the week that Ibraheem Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria denied claims that its members kidnapped and killed an army colonel last week.

The movement’s spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said the claims were based on military intelligence leaks alleging the Shiites were plotting to kidnap army officers and offer them in exchange for Zakzaky.

There was no incident today.

Nigeria’s military accused the Shiites of trying to assassinate chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai — a charge the Shiites deny. In punishment, soldiers bulldozed three Shiite centers including mosques and schools in Zaria.

Zakzaky, who started the movement after returning from Iran 37 years ago and attracting millions of followers, suffered four bullet wounds before he was captured, the family doctor said.

Musa, spokesman of IMN has charged that some wounded and detained Shiites have died for lack of medical care.

Last week, the Shiites petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate the alleged military killings of nearly 1,000 Shiites, calling them crimes against humanity.