Rights group decries growing call for release of El Zakyzaky from detention

A human rights group, Justice and Peace Movement (JPM) on Thursday decried the growing call for the release from detention of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibraheem El Zakyzaky, unconditionally, despite the overwhelming case of enactment to violence and terrorism built against him.

The group gave the stance during a peaceful rally it staged at the Freedom Park, Ojota, and Lagos, saying it categorically condemned and opposed the call for the release of the Islamic leader as his organization was found by a judicial panel to be heavily militarized.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, Comrade Kola Salawu, said, “We want to categorically condemn and oppose the call for the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibraheem El Zakyzaky unconditionally, despite the overwhelming case of incitement to violence and terrorism built against him. His organization was found by a Judicial Panel to be heavily militarized.

“There are videos of his members training for military combat. The military recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on his enclave. His members had attacked troops and killed a soldier. They have threatened mayhem on the country. IMN has foreign support to unsettle Nigeria. This is the man that some characters in Nigeria with foreign support are canvassing unconditional release for.”

Salawu said should El Zakyzaky be released without trial as being demanded, Nigeria would be compelled to extend the same unwarranted courtesy to would be terrorists in the future, adding that the country would be compelled to “make onsite execution of terrorists the norm with all the attendant risks.”

“Our march today, is, therefore, to demand that El Zakyzaky and other IMN extremists arrested for terrorism related cases must be prosecuted.

“IMN’s foreign sponsors must stop taking Nigeria for granted as we must not join the league of countries whose security agencies know terrorists and still leave them to carry out attacks before executing them to show they are working. Nigeria’s option of preventive approach to fighting terror must be respected.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the ill advised attempts by the Shiite to denigrate the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the incumbent occupant refused to be browbeaten into compromising citizens’ safety.

“Professor Yemi Osinbajo merely stated the fact when he said El Zakyzaky remains in detention because there is an appeal against his court ordered release. It is, therefore, unacceptable for any group or individuals to vilify the vice president for simply standing by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Those calling for the release of El Zakyzaky have failed. They may just as well add Kabiru Sokoto and other high profile Boko Haram suspects to the list of those they want released. This will help confirm how much they hold Nigerians in disdain to the point where they want terror masterminds strolling around freely to commit more crimes,” Comrade Salawu said.