Shi’ites call for release of El-zakzaky, wife over COVID-19 fears

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, have called for the immediate release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat from the Kaduna Correctional Centre.

The IMN made the call on Friday, saying the COVID-19 disease pandemic ravaging the world has made their release necessary.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention since 2015 despite court orders granting them bail.

It would also be recalled that the Kaduna Correctional Centre, where they are being held was recently the subject of an attempted jailbreak by inmates who were protesting overcrowding and inadequate ventilation, fearing they may become victims of the ravaging COVID-19 disease.

Read also: Osun govt says full COVID-19 lockdown still in force

The Islamic movement, in a statement by the President of its Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, in Kaduna on Friday said: “Since the outbreak of this coronavirus pandemic, many countries all over the world have been releasing prison inmates in their thousands ostensibly to decongest them, but also as a way of releasing the innocent ones among them who were unjustly detained. By so doing, the nation receives succour from the creator of the world because of the magnanimity.

“It is in this same vein that Nigerian government is expected to release the foremost prisoner of faith in the country and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention for almost five years with ailments he sustained in the course of his arrest and detention.”

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