BEVERLY HILLS, July 15, (THEWILL) – Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the body of Islamic Shiites in the country, have blocked the Zaria-Kaduna expressway, to protest against the prolonged detention of their leader, Ibrahim El Zakzaky.
THEWILL recalls that Zakzaky was arrested by the Nigerian army in December 2015 after troops clashed with Shi’a members who blocked the highway and attempted to assassinate Army Chief, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General.
However, thousands of Zakzaky’s followers blocked the expressway on Friday, denying other road users passage, and demanded his release.
There are indications that they were attacked by thugs at Maraban Jos (along Kaduna-Zaria expressway while security operatives were quickly deployed to the scene.
A spokesperson for the Shi’as, Musa Ibrahim, confirmed that some members embarked on a peaceful procession on Friday to demand the release of Sheik Zakzaky adding that he has no information whether there was casualty.
