Stop Killing Shi’ites, Release Their Leader, They Are Only Expressing Their Faith, Fayose Tells FG

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on the International Criminal Court, Amnesty International and other world bodies to investigate the murder of Shi’ite members in Zaria, Kaduna and Kano states, as well as the ongoing killings in the Southern Kaduna.....

The governor described the detention of the leader of the Shi’ite sect, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and some of members of his sect since December as inhuman, a clear contravention of his fundamental human rights, and an affront on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

“All well-meaning Nigerians must prevail on the Federal Government to release Ibrahim El-Zakzaky without further delay,” Fayose said.

Reacting to the latest onslaught on the Shi’ite members in Kano State, which reportedly led to the death of over 10 people, Fayose said the murder of over 300 Nigerians in one day and their burial in mass graves, as well as the continuous murder of the Shi’ite sect members should attract the attention of the ICC.

The governor, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said he was worried that firearms, which should only be used as a last resort, were now being used to prevent Nigerians from expressing their faith.

He said, “Under international human rights law governing the use of firearms during policing operations, the intentional use of lethal force is only permitted when strictly unavoidable, to protect life.

“In a month’s time, it will be exactly one year since Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was arrested and detained without trial. This is unacceptable in a democratic society where there should be strict adherence to the rule of law.”