Islamic movement of Nigeria in protests

Protesters from the pro-Iranian Islamic movement in Nigeria are demanding the release of their detained leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The leader of the sect has been held by Nigeria’s secret police since December 2015 after a military crackdown which left over 300 of his followers dead.

A public commission of inquiry noted that violence on the part of the members of the sect led to the use of force by the armed forces which resulted in the deaths of hundreds.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has rejected the Commission of Inquiry’s report saying that, the government which set up the commission had already made up its mind that the IMN was guilty.

Relations between the Nigerian authorities and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have been strained for a long time and have already led to violent confrontations.

AFP