Nigerian Forces Attack Protesters Demanding Release of Prominent Shia Cleric

Raa - Nigerian government forces opened fire on demonstrators demanding the release of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

News ID: 435728

Date: 11 January 2018 - 07:31

RNA - On Tuesday, during the third day of consecutive protests, one person was severely injured during clashes with Nigerian forces and another 50 people were detained in Abuja, presstv reported.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Human Rights Commission has called on Nigerian authorities to immediately release Shiekh Zakzaky over his deteriorating health condition.

"In view of his deteriorating health, it is now more urgent than ever to allow Sheikh Zakzaky to be allowed access to immediate medical attention in order to assess the extent of his injuries caused by the stroke and access the necessary medical treatment," the statement read.

The health of the incarcerated leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has deteriorated in recent days, according to the movement.

The Nigerian army attacked two religious centers of the country's Shiite community in December 2015, killing hundreds of defenseless civilians there, while a few hours later, the military arrested Sheikh Zakzaky after raiding his house and killing three of his sons, assistants and followers.

Sheikh Zakzaky lost his left eye sight in a raid, while, during the raid, Zakzaky’s wife sustained serious wounds too. Zakzaky, his wife, and a large number of the cleric’s followers have since been in custody.

Political activists said later the Nigerian army forces buried and set fire on the corpses of those Shiite Muslims who had been killed during the recent raids in Zaria region.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have also demanded setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the killings of their colleagues in Zaria, while, according to a report, the Army discriminately shot dead as many as 347 Muslims while swooping on the followers of the country’s leading Shiite cleric.

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