Islamic movement disowns video in circulation

Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shiites has disowned a video clip purported to have been authored by unknown persons where Professor Dahiru Yahya visited their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky.

El-Zakzaky is being held 'incommunicado' alongside his wife since the Nigeria army/ Shiites clash last month.

But a statement signed by Shiites spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, the said video, which featured various Islamic scholars with different shades of opinion about Islam were quoted out of context on the "massacre" that happened in Zaria.

"On viewing the video clip, even people not conversant with the workings of the Islamic movement will begin to doubt if it really emanated from us, as the narrator in Hausa was trying to portray," the movement said.

Read: Shiite leader reportedly in police custody

"We hereby categorically make it clear that the Islamic movement has no hand in the making and distribution of the said video clip. We on the other hand completely align ourselves with the laudable efforts of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in dealing with the issue," Ibrahim added.

The group said they acknowledged the courageous stand NSCIA as the umbrella of all Muslims adding that devoid of sectarian sentiments whatsoever, they support its efforts in seeing to the peaceful resolution of the unfortunate and avoidable attack on unarmed Muslims in Zaria by the Nigerian military.

"The Islamic Movement conducts its affairs openly for all to judge. We are not a sect, but a mass movement of people with different shades of opinions of Islam and the world view. In whatever statement or utterances, emanating from us there is proper attribution. But in this video there is no proper indication of who were the producers," the statement by Ibrahim Musa said.

He said the video in question might be the handiwork of detractors who are in tandem with those who attack the Islamic movement, "Trying to sow the seed of discord within the Islamic community on this issue that all well-meaning Nigerians and the International community rightly believe we are the victims."

"We will not rest on our oars until and unless our most important demand is met by the government of Muhammadu Buhari, which is the unconditional release of our revered leader Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub Zakzaky, his wife and other brothers and sisters who are in detention."Attachments area