TheCable

The Nigerian army on Wednesday said Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife, are not dead but in protective custody.

Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, disclosed this when he appeared on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television.

Usman also spoke on the encounter between the military and members of the sect, blaming the group for Saturday’s commotion.

“I want you to understand that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and his wife, contrary to rumours going on are alive,” he said.

“Around 2:30 pm (on Saturday), just shortly by the railway clinic, a group of youths started springing up all over the place, coming from the PZ end and the Hussainiyya Bakiya, their headquarters, and started encircling the convoy of the chief of army staff (COAS).

“We came down and pleaded with them and made them to see reason but they refused to listen and they started pelting stones on the convoy and there were loud bangs here and there.

“They were burning tires, pelting stones and no amount of that could get them to do otherwise and insisted that they have done it to several other people and the chief of army staff is not an exception.”

Quoting an interview which the sect leader granted the Hausa service of the BBC, Usman said: “He claimed they were hoisting a flag… this is the federal republic of Nigeria and there is no other flag that is sacred than the national flag.

“All these things were premeditated, they were planned. The reception party that went to SYS Dogarawa from Depot Nigerian Army passed the same place barely 20 minutes and there wasn’t anything.

“The arrival of the chief of army staff was widely publicised and it was his they decided to ambush, for reasons known to them. So for anybody to think or say otherwise, it begs for more questions on that side.”

On Tuesday, Zakzky’s followers staged protests in different parts of the north, demanding his immediate release.

A picture of him soaked in blood also went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned the use of firearms on civilians, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the incident.

“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials,” read a statement issued by Ibrahim M.K, a director of the human rights body in Nigeria.

“Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east Nigeria.

“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released.

The United States has also called “on the government of Nigeria to quickly, credibly, and transparently investigate these events in Zaria and hold to account any individuals found to have committed crimes”.