Iran warns Nigeria to release Shi'ite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

Iran has continued to mount pressure on Nigeria to release Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who was arrested by the Nigerian Army in December 2015.

The country’s foreign ministry disclosed this while urging the Nigerian government to ‘adopt wise action’ on the issue.

“We have used all those channels to warn them [Nigeria] regarding this issue. So hopefully the government… would adopt wise action given the sensitive situation,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari told reporters in the capital, Tehran.

The government of Iran had earlier warned Nigeria to tread with caution following the battle between the Army and Shiite Muslims in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The warning was also given by Jaber-Ansari on Sunday, December 13, 2015, according to state-owned network, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

“Nigeria… is now dealing with problems arising from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and we hope that in these conditions preservation of calm and national unity in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided,” IRNA quoted Jaber-Ansari as saying.

Soldiers engaged the Shiites in a battle after the group allegedly attempted to assassinate Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

The conflict escalated after soldiers surrounded Zakzaky's home and arrested him. The Shiites have claimed that about 1000 members of the group died during the confrontation.


Credit: Pulse NG