Shi’ites leader Ibraheem El-Zakzaky not in our custody, says Kaduna Prisons

Shi’ites leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky

The authorities of the Kaduna Prisons on Wednesday distanced itself from purported claim that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, otherwise known as Shi’ite, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, was in the prison.

While dismissing the claim, the Controller of Kaduna Prisons, Abubakar Argungu, however, said 191 members of the IMN were in the custody of the prison.

“We only have 191 followers of the Shi’ite leader in our custody. But we do not have their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, with us,” Argungu said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government said on Wednesday that it would soon announce members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the recent clash in Zaria between the Nigerian Army and Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, the government said it had completed the composition and terms of reference of the proposed commission.

It added that effort was being made to contact all the nominees for the membership of the commission as well as the secretariat and resource persons.

The statement partly read, “The Kaduna State Government has largely completed work on the composition and the terms of reference of the proposed Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“However, the government is still engaged in extensive consultations that are required prior to a formal announcement.

“Efforts are also being made to contact all the nominees for membership of the commission, as well as the secretariat and resource persons that will support the work of this important inquiry.

“These consultations and contacts have been impacted by the holidays. Therefore, the Kaduna State Government will be delaying the announcement of the membership of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry until early in the New Year.

“Best efforts have been applied to ensure that the announcement is made within the two-week window envisaged when the decision to establish the commission of inquiry was made. But it has now emerged that a little more time is required.”