NIGERIA STAGES RALLY PROTESTING ASSASINATION ATTEMPTS ON PREACHER

Zaria, 22 Muharram 1436/15 November 2014 (MINA) – The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has staged a peaceful rally in the city of Zaria to voice its anger at recent assassination attempts on the life of its leader.

Hundreds of protesters converged at the site of Jumaat Mosque in Zaria in the northern state of Kaduna, accusing Nigerian authorities of trying to kill Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is an outspoken critic of political corruption in the African state, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Saturday.

The protesters said the leader has always identified himself with the plight of the oppressed Nigerian people and tried to expose the wrong policies of the Abuja government.

They also said that the frankness of Zakzaky against injustice has placed him in serious danger.

“The Nigerian army has intensified efforts to ambush him and kill him,” said Abdullahi Danladi, from the Islamic Movement.

He further noted that Nigerian government forces had threatened to kill Zakzaky during the Ashura mourning ceremonies earlier this month.

The protesters further vowed to protect the life of the leader.

“This rally is to reiterate our solidarity to the Sheikh,” said Abduhamid Bello, from Nigeria’s Islamic Movement, adding the Nigerian government should know that before it reaches to Sheikh, it “should finish with us first.”

On July 25, 32 members of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement were shot dead by Nigerian army soldiers during the international Quds Day rally in Zaria. Three sons of Zakzaky were among the victims.(T/P008/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)