Some protesters in Iran have threatened to overthrow the government of President Muhammadfu Buhari in order to secure the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
Zakyzaky has been in detention since December 2015 when his followers clashed with some soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna state.
The sect leader has been granted bail but the federal government has refused to free him.
In a trending video, the Iranians with different placards chanted “Free free Zakzaky”.
The leader of the protesters criticised the Buhari government over the continued detention of leader.
“The judge of Nigeria ordered that Zakzaky and his members to be freed but the government didn’t listen to that and so we are calling on them to free Zakzaky,” he said.
“The government of Nigeria should know that it cannot keep Zakzaky forever in the detention and in jail, In Sha Allah, by overthrowing the tyrannical government, we will free Zakzaky and teach Nigeria and its people a good lesson.”
Last week, the IMN lambasted the Nigeria Police for describing Shiites as terrorists.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International said its investigation shows that the horrific use of excessive force by soldiers and police led to the killing of at least 45 supporters of the IMN in two days.
AI disclosed that its researchers visited five different locations in Abuja and Nasarawa state where wounded IMN supporters were receiving treatment, including two locations where bodies were deposited.
“We have seen a shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force by soldiers and police against IMN members”, said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement on Wednesday.
“Video footage and eyewitness testimonies consistently show that the Nigerian military dispersed peaceful gatherings by firing live ammunition without warning, in clear violation of Nigerian and international law.
“Those injured were shot in different parts of the body – head, neck, back, chest, shoulder, legs, arms – and some of them had multiple gunshot wounds. This pattern clearly shows soldiers and police approached IMN processions not to restore public order, but to kill.”
