From: Islamic Human Rights Commission

9 January 2018

PRESS RELEASE 2 – Abuja, Nigeria: Two wounded, many arrested after police open fire at Free Zakzaky demonstration

Two people have been injured and tens more arrested by police who opened fire with live ammunition at a demonstration in the Nigerian capital Abuja demanding the release of the imprisoned leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky.

Among the wounded was Mallam Qasimu Umar, the IMN representative for Sokoto state.

The demonstration had been called to demand the urgent release of Sheikh Zakzaky after he suffered a stroke at the weekend. The sheikh’s supporters are demanding he be freed and allowed to fly abroad to receive medical treatment.

Earlier today IHRC wrote to President Buhari asking him to release the sheikh so that he can access medical treatment.

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, led by Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, has been the subject of a government witch-hunt since at least 2014 with its supporters coming under repeated attack. The worst of these was a savage assault on the group in Zaria in December 2015 in which at least 1000 people, including three of Zakzaky’s sons, were killed and many properties and religious spaces belonging to the IMN and its followers destroyed.

Nobody has ever been brought to justice for any of the atrocities.

For more information please call +447958607475. Photos attached

Notes to editors:

In March 2016 IHRC petitioned the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary inquiry into the December 2015 massacre of IMN members.

Our report which we submitted to the ICC can be found here

Videos: 1, 2

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

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