Pro-democracy and good governance group, Concerned Nigerians, has said it would commence daily sit-out to protest alleged killings of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, and demand the unconditional release of the leader of the group, Sheik Ibrahim Elzakzaky.
A statement signed by the group’s publicity secretary, Theophilus Abu Agada, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday said the protest would commence at the Unity Fountain, Abuja on the 17th of January, 2018.
According to the statement, “We hereby invite all members of the public as well as members of the press to our daily sit out to demand for the release of Sheik Ibrahim Elzakzaky, his wife, Hajia Zeena Elzakzaky and other members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who have been held in custody since December 2015 in spite the order of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja which ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to release them since December 2, 2016”
The statement added that “just last week, three members of the IMN were killed in Abuja by the police for carrying out peaceful protest which is a fundamental right. Attacks on peaceful Shiites’ processions and protests have continued unabated. As Concerned Nigerians, we can longer remain silent in the face of these dastard acts of impunity especially the recent attacks on Shiites in Abuja last week”
The group also called on international organisations such as ECOWAS Court of Justice, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Human Rights Officer US Embassy, Human Rights Officer Canadian Embassy, Head of Mission European Union, Amnesty International Nigeria to observe the daily sit-out.
