Anxiety In Yobe Over Whereabouts Of Shi’ite Leader

Following a clash between Shi’ites and the Nigerian army in Zaria, Mallam Bala Afuwa, the Yobe state deputy leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, has confirmed that their leader, Mallam Lawan Mustapha Nasidi, is still missing.

 

Sheik El-Zakzaky fears the army is after the Shi’ites again.

Speaking with journalists, the deputy leader said that Mustapha Nasidi disappeared shortly after the soldiers invaded the residents of the movement’s leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Mallam Bala added that Muhammed Mahmud Turi and Lawan Nasidi were among those inside the house of their national leader, during the raid by Nigeria soldiers.
He further alleged that during the attack on El-Zakzaky’s house many leaders, close allies and other members of the sect were murdered.

“We believe that during the battle our Yobe Amir, Mustapha Nasidi, was inside the house of El-Zakzaky. We heard that he was killed, so I don’t know the whereabouts of our leader,” he said.

Expressing concern over Muhammdu Buhari’s inaction, Mallam Bala warned the president that the crisis might spell doom for the government as innocent women and children were killed without him taking action.
The deputy leader called on Buhari, Northern governors, inspector general of police and chief of army staff to immediately release Al-Zakzaky and other Amirs without delay.

Stressing that members of the movement are not trouble makers, Mallam Bala noted: “We know our right, Nigerian constitution allows everybody his or her rights to practice his religion without any harassment”.

He further called on members of the sect to intensify prayers until their leader and other Amirs have been released from custody. He added that they would not relent in prayers until their leader is freed.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna state police command has released 83 suspects who were apprehended during the clash between members of the Shi’ites movement and soldiers. There were 34 children and 49 women among the released.