Some Nigerians living in the United States of America have advised the Nigerian government to immediately prosecute detained leader of the Sh’ite movement, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, stressing that another terrorist group may break out of the movement if they are not stopped now.
In a protest staged at the United Nations Building and the Nigeria House, New York City, yesterday, they said El-Zakzaky’s prosecution will serve as deterrent to similar groups.
Recall that El-Zakzaky who was arrested after a bloody clash between members of the Shi’ite movement and the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, late last year, has remained in custody.
In a statement by one Cosmos Collins, the Nigerians protesters noted that if government fails to deal with the Shi’ite movement, the group may split into another terrorist group like the Boko Haram.
The protesters, who said the Shi’ite movement mirrored Boko Haram in its formative years urged Nigeria that the activities of the Shi’ite movement be immediately nipped in the bud.
They warned the government that by delaying in pressing charges against El-Zakzaky, they might unknowingly be nurturing another national security threat.
According to Collins, “The delay in prosecuting the detained Islamic Movement of Nigeria leader could be a silent plea for international backing by the Nigerian government.
“A clear message must be sent to the government that the way it deals with the IMN threat is a matter of global interest as any fallout from delay in dealing with the threat posed by the group will affect the whole world.
“Failure to prosecute these people, including El-Zakyzaky, will make other groups think of coming out because it is now believed that it is fashionable to take on the state without consequences.
“We, therefore, encourage the government to consider bringing charges of subversion of the rule of law against members of the group for inviting Iranian intervention into Nigeria’s internal affairs.
“The government should investigate the finances of the group and its senior members to see if they have been beneficiary of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism.”
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