The leader of the Shiite Muslim group, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky is no longer in the custody of the Nigerian military, says the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai.
Major General Buratai says E-l-Zakzaky has been transferred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
The Army chief made the revelation on Thursday, when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) at the Army Headquarters, in Abuja.
Buratai said: “As a responsible and law abiding organization, we will do all that we can to always safeguard lives and property.
“As for the whereabouts of the Shi’ite leader, he is not in our custody; he has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution because we don’t prosecute.”
“What happened was avoidable and unfortunate, we followed the rules of engagement as enshrined in the constitution but what happened still happened.”
Furthermore, Buratai also denied the fact that the Army was after members of the sect, stressing that they were simply carrying out their constitutional duties.
The Army chief urged Nigerians to disregard the information and pictures circulating online, noting that it’s not a true reflection of what transpire on Saturday, December 12, when the Army clashed with the Shiite Muslims in Zaria.
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