The news that Mr. Zakzaky remains in the custody of the military shows not only that Mr. Buratai has been lying to the public, but military officials are attempting to cover up last week’s massacre.
SaharaReporters has learned from an army general in the Nigerian military that Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky remains in military custody, contrary to statements made by Army Chief of Staff Tukur Buratai to the public.
The army general speaking to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that Mr. Zakzaky is currently held in a military facility in Kaduna State. The high-ranking source also disclosed to our correspondent that only soldiers had access to Mr. Zakzaky.
SaharaReporters spoke with a member of Mr. Zakzaky’s family yesterday who told our correspondent that no one had directly communicated with him since his arrest by the military. The Nigerian army carried out a massacre of Shiite Muslims in Kaduna State last weekend after claiming Shiite protesters attempted to assassinate General Buratai.
It is believed that the military murdered several of Mr. Zakzaky’s family during the massacre and subsequent raid on his home. The military also demolished a shrine belonging to the Muslim group with little explanation why they chose to bulldoze it.
The news that Mr. Zakzaky remains in the custody of the military shows not only that Mr. Buratai has been lying to the public, but military officials are attempting to cover up last week’s massacre.
Human rights groups and international organizations have condemned the Nigerian military for denying Mr. Zakzaky his human rights and not allowing him to have legal or proper medical assistance.