Some Muslims in American on Friday held a demonstration in New York to condemn the massacre of Shiites by Nigerian troops just as northern governors on Saturday held an emergency meeting in Kaduna to evolve measures to resolve the crisis.
The meeting, convened under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum, was chaired by the chairman of the forum, Governor Kassim Shettima of Borno.
American demonstrators gathered in Midtown Manhattan near the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations and called for the release of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
The protesters chanted slogans and carried placards condemning the Nigerian military’s oppression against Muslims.
Hundreds of Shiites Muslims have been killed after clashes erupted between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite IMN in the northern city of Zaria in Kaduna State.
The clashes broke out when soldiers opened fire on the people attending a religious ceremony at Hussainiyah Baqiyatullah, a religious centre belonging to the Shiite group.
Military authorities accuse the Shiites of trying to stop a convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai. The military also accused the Shiites of attempting to assassinate Buratai – a charge Zakzaky, the IMN leader, denied.
Zakzaky was arrested during a raid by the army on his residence and buildings connected to the Shiites community in Zaria.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky, and all of the other detainees that have been illegally detained by the Nigerian military and the government,” said activist Ali Naqvi.
Seyed Ayleya of the Muslim Congress of America told Press TV that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is vitally important for the entire African continent.
“Sheikh al-Zakzaky is one of the greatest leaders in Africa, and in the contemporary times we don’t find anyone similar to him in the entire continent,” he added.
“And the work he has done is just beyond the Shia community. He is a source for inspiration for the Sunni brothers there, and even (for) the Christian community.”
Activists said Zakzaky was targeted because he has bravely exposed links between the Sunni group, Boko Haram, and the Nigerian government.
Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for several deadly gun and bomb attacks in various parts of Nigeria since 2009.
Addressing his colleagues on Saturday, Shettima said the northern governors’ meeting was convened to ensure that the crisis did not escalate to other states in the North as was the case with Boko Haram.
“We are here in connection with the recent happening in Zaria. We do not want to commit the mistakes that happened in the case of Boko Haram.”
“Kaduna is to the North what Lagos is to the South West.
“We are here to discuss on security measures that needed to be taken to address the issue,” he said.
Mr. Shettima gave the assurance that the governors would come up with solution to resolve the crisis.
The meeting later went into close-door session.
