The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, yesterday disclosed that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, would be prosecuted for crimes he may have committed.
This is coming on the heels of a clash between followers of El-Zakzaky and the military in Zaria.
A recent clash had occurred between the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, and followers of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria who were said to have condoned off the highway during their annual procession.
The barricade and subsequent raid on the residence of El-Zakzaky reportedly led to the death of some of the latter’s followers, including his son.
Following the incident, the military immediately issued a press statement alleging that members of the sect wanted to assassinate Buratai.
Few days after El-Zakzaky’s residence was raided by the army, Governor El-Rufai announced the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the clash between the Shiite members and the military. But the movement has expressed lack of confidence in the judicial commission of enquiry proposed by the governor to probe the clash.
El-Rufai, while addressing journalists on Saturday in Kaduna after Northern Governors, under the aegis of Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, rose from their meeting convened to look into the clash between the military and Shiite members in Zaria, said, “The leader of the movement is in custody, he will be prosecuted for any crimes that he may have committed. But that is the decision for the federal authorities. There are state and federal crimes.”
“There is a government and a constitution and we are resolved to follow the constitution and due process,” he stated.
