Last week’s announcement by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shiite group, of the suspension of its street protests, which began since the arrest of its leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky in 2015 by the federal government, is the right foot forward in the resolution of the its protracted face off with security agencies. Already, the sect’s resort to the rule of law is paying off with the medical leave granted to its leader and his wife, Zeenatu.

In a statement, the President of IMN Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said the protests being used to call for the release of its detained leader, El-Zakzaky, his wife and others, were suspended to give room for “some new openings” into the resolution of the matter. Musa disclosed that the suspension would also give room for the proper prosecution of the court case instituted by the group against its proscription.

He said; “The Islamic Movement in Nigeria do hereby announce to the general public and the international community that it has temporarily suspended its Free Zakzaky street protests to allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order made by the federal government this week.

“It has taken this step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine and we sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now.

“If at all any protest occur anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image and be seen as unruly people rather than as victims of savage oppression since 2015.

“The Islamic Movement wishes to thank both national and international civil rights activists and organisations who have been busy demanding the protection of our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“We also thank the press, both national and international, and the social media activists for the full coverage of our activities throughout the struggle for justice. We are committed to exploring the new openings we have seen in resolving this protracted issue. We therefore reiterate our demand that our leader, his wife and several others in detention be given their freedom denied them since 2015.”

The granting of bail on health grounds to El-Zakzaky and his wife by the Kaduna State High Court on the heels of cessation of hostilities may incontrovertibly be attributed to the sect’s peace overtures and recourse to the rule of law and arbitration.

The court said the prosecution had failed to prove El-Zakzaky would be a flight risk, while the defense team had established that the couple’s health had worsened in custody and are expected to visit Mandeta Hospital in New Delhi, India for treatment.

El-Zakzaky has been in detention since 2015 after soldiers raided the IMN headquarters in Zaria and allegedly killed about 347 Shiites. The government accuses the group of not recognising the Nigerian constitution and authority. It blames El-Zakzaky for the death of a soldier in December 2015.

El-Zakzaky, alongside his wife some members of IMN, was arrested and detained in December 2015 following a violent confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria which was sparked by the sect’s refusal to dismantle a road blockage and create a thoroughfare for the latter’s convoy.

However, his continued incarceration in defiance to a court order for his release had sparked off series of protest by members of the movement in Abuja, Kaduna and other cities in India, Canada and United Kingdom.

In Kashmir, India, children and youths embarked on street demonstration, calling for the release of the Shiite leader. “A protest rally was held today morning (Sunday) in Indian-Controlled Kashmir in solidarity with Sheikh #El-Zakzaky,” the Islamic Human Rights Commission  tweeted.

A video of the demonstration showed the group holding posters and cardboards with the picture of El-Zakzaky. Also, a crowd of Canadian residents and citizens on Friday protested against the detention.

However, the Shiites protest of Monday, July 22, 2019, turned bloody as a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, in charge of Operations at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, a member of the National Youth Service Corps reporting for Channels TV and about 11 members of the IMN and scores of others were killed. Consequently, the federal government sought the permission of the Abuja high court in an ex parte motion for the proscription of the IMN, which was granted and has since been gazetted.

For a fact,  there appears to be no justification or rationale for this orgy of violence and wanton killings. It is, therefore, on the backdrop of this sordid reality that we commend the suspension of the street protest by the IMN. It is, however, our opinion that the sect should continue to explore judicial process while urging the federal government to release El-Zakzaky and his wife for medical treatment in compliance with Monday’s court order.