Family members of the detained leader of the Shi’ite group, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, have been denied access to the Islamic scholar, Saharareporters reports.
This is coming amidst speculation that Zakzaky is being kept in the military custody as a ploy to cover up the killings of members of the group.
SaharaReporters learned from a top army source that Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky remains in military custody, contrary to statements made by Army Chief of Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai to the public.
The top military brass speaking to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky is currently held in a military facility in Kaduna State. The high-ranking source also disclosed to our correspondent that only soldiers had access to Sheikh Zakzaky.
SaharaReporters spoke with a member of the Sheikh’s family yesterday who told our correspondent that no one had directly communicated with him since his arrest by the military.
The Nigerian army had a clash with the Shi’ite group whose members it claimed wanted to assassinate General Buratai during the group’s procession in Zaria.
It is believed that the military murdered some family members of the islamic leader during the fracas and subsequent raid on his home. The military, according to the online medium, also demolished a group’s place of worship.
Human rights groups and international organizations have condemned the Nigerian military for denying Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky his human rights and not allowing him to have legal or proper medical assistance.
During the raid on his the house, the Sheikh’s three male children were among those allegedly killed by the soldiers penultimate Sunday. Also killed is Malama Binta Yaqoub the senior sister of Sheikh Zakzaky who lived in the same house with the Sheikh.
The Children are Hammad, Ali and Humaid. Humaid is the last child of the Sheikh whose age is about 13 years.
The children were killed in front of the Sheikh when the soldiers broke into his residence. While Suhaila Ibraheem Zakzaky sustained brushes on her face.
It could be recalled that Zakzaky’s three sons were killed on July 2014 while conducting International Quds Day Procession in Zaria.
