Follower of Shi'ite leader dies in detention

dimeji akinloye

May 12, 2016 4:34 PM

The state prosecutor, Dari Bayero, told the Kaduna state high court about Isiyaku's death on Wednesday, May 11.

Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky

One of the detained members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite, has died in prison custody,

Identified as Abbas Isiyaku, the deceased, who was one of the followers of Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the group, was arrested alongside others after the December clash with the Nigerian soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The state prosecutor, Dari Bayero, told the Kaduna state high court about Isiyaku's death on Wednesday, May 11.

Bayero told the presiding judge, David Wyoms, to strike out the name of the deceased from the list of the 91 members of the group facing death sentence for “culpable homicide”.

“Before your Lordship is a charge under sections 97, 221, 102,106 and 256 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state for mention,” Bayero said.

“Before we start, I apply that the name of Abbas Isiyaku be struck off the list.”

Following the clash, 266 shi'ites were arrested while 256 are facing charges including death sentence, 10 others have been arraigned in different courts in the state.

Zakzaky, the group's leader has also been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2015, despite series of protests demanding his release and that of other detained shi'ite members.

READ: 'Why I parted ways with Shi'ite leader,' brother speaks

Many Shi’ites were killed during the rancour, but the military has distanced itself from indiscriminate killings, saying it was forced to apply the rules of engagement to protect the life of the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, whose life was in danger.

dimeji akinloye