In a report by SaharaReporters, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, who are referred to as Shiites, marched to the Abuja detention where El-Zakzaky is being kept since 2016.

In a statement by the Shiites, Sheik Abdulhamid Bello reportedly said: “We are out to lament at the way the Nigerian government is mishandling one of its most prominent elder statesmen.

"We come out to remind the World of the genocide executed by the Nigerian government using all its machinery of state power against unarmed citizens. We are out today, on the occasion of the 66th birthday of our leader, demanding for justice and his immediate freedom.

“He should be released instantly as ordered by a federal high court in Abuja, so that at least he can attend to his failing health,” Bello said.

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El-Zakzakky and his wife, Malama Zeenat Ibrahim were arrested and held captive when his followers and officers of the Nigerian Army clashed in 2015.