Police Disperse El-Zazaky Protesters With Tear Gas

By Ige Olugbenga

The Police on Monday used tear gas to disperse members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who took to the streets of Abuja to protest the detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

The protesters marched through the streets with placards but were dispersed by the police who fired teargas and water cannons as they made their way towards the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The group has continued to protest across Nigeria since the arrest and detention of Sheikh El-Zazaki in December 2016, after a bloody clash between his followers and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on 2 Decembe 2016, ordered his release and awarded a cumulative sum of N50 million to the Zakzakys but this was ignored by the federal government.

The court also ordered the AGF and IGP to provide him with new accommodation and security in any part of Kaduna or Northern region within 45 days.

Thisorder is also yet to be obeyed.