EL-ZAZAKY: Beware of Iran! Threats over Shiite leader's arrest not empty, experts advise FG

A university don and expert in International Relations, Professor Saleh Dauda, over the weekend, advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to treat as empty threat, the warning by the Iranian government over the detained Shiite cleric, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
This is as Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Argentina, Chive Kaave, also cautioned the federal government to be careful of Iran because of allegations that the country is a sponsor of terrorism worldwide.
It would be that Iran had on Monday, strongly warned Nigeria to release the El-Za¬kyzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) based in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Iran is also involved in a diplomatic brawl with Saudi Arabia and others following the execution of a renowned Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari who spoke in Tehran, said his govern¬ment had used all diplo¬matic channels to secure the release of El-Zakyzaky to no avail.
He therefore warned that “we have used all those channels to warn them (Nigeria) regarding this issue. So hopefully, the govern¬ment (Iran) would adopt wise action given the sensi¬tive situation”.
Iran has continued to mount pressure on Nigeria to release the Shiite leader, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army in December, following clashes between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite movement and alleged attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Argentina, Barrister Chive Kaave, has accused the Republic of Iran of sponsoring terrorism not just in Nigeria but also in other parts of the world.
He spoke against the backdrop of Iran’s position on the recent clash in Kaduna State between the Shiite Islamic sect led by el Zakzaky and the Nigerian Army, which led to loss of lives.
Speaking on Sunday in Makurdi, the diplomat insisted that over time, Iran had been reported to be in the fore- front of sup¬porting acts or terrorism.
He recalled that about three years ago while he was still serving as an ambassador in Argentina, there was a bomb explosion in the Israeli Embas-sy that was traced to the Iranian diplomats also serving in Argen¬tina, although it was still being investigated by the Argentine authorities.
According to him, the Shiite Movement which he said has its origins in Iran, has been a source of problem not only in Iran but also the entire Arab world and where ever it is practised.
“You will recall that even the United Nations had problems with Iran over its support to terrorist movements. For us here in Nigeria, the Islamic scholar called el Zakzaky has been in this movement for over 20 years gain-ing followership by persuasion and preaching as it is allowed in our constitution and today has grown into a movement that could confront security agencies and I strongly believe that such acts are fuelled by the support it is getting from countries such as Iran”, Kaave stated.
He called on the Nigerian gov¬ernment to hold talks with the Iranian authorities with the view to addressing the issue while a full-scale investigation should also be carried out.
He also advised that perpe¬trators of such acts should also be made to face the full wrath of the law alongside their spon¬sors.
Kaave added: “The Governor of Kaduna State where el Za¬kzaky resides has already said that if el Zakzaky is found guilty of infringing on any law of Nige¬ria, he should be made to face the wrath of the law.”

The Authority