El-Zakzaky, wife in our custody – Army

 

THE General Officer Commanding (GOC), I Division, Army in Kaduna, Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade, has said yesterday that the Zaria-based leader of the Shi’ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky is the protective custody of the military.

Members of the group clashed with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai in Zaria last Saturday, leading to the death of several Shi’ites.

However, addressing the Press last night, the GOC said both Zakzaky and his wife are in safe custody, even though he was not specific where they are being kept.

This was even as the Shi’ite Acting Director of Information, Ibrahim Musa, alleged in a statement that over 1,000 members were killed by soldiers.

The GoC noted that the Islamic leader will soon be allowed to speak with his followers to enable them believe that their leader is actually alive.

He said: “the Shi’ite leader, Zakzaky is safe and in protective custody with his wife in a conducive environment. We will allow him to speak with his followers. But as I speak to you, there was jubilation in Zaria as regards to the Army’s engagement in the city.

Meanwhile, the group alleged yesterday that soldiers killed over 1,000 members in Zaria. This was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna and signed by Ibrahim Musa.

“About a thousand members of the movement have been massacred at the moment as counting continues,” he said.