Hundreds of protesters converged at the site of Jumaat Mosque in Zaria in the northern state of Kaduna, accusing Nigerian authorities of trying to kill Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is an outspoken critic of political corruption in the African state.

The protesters said the leader has always identified himself with the plight of the oppressed Nigerian people and tried to expose the wrong policies of the Abuja government.

They also said that the frankness of Zakzaky against injustice has placed him in serious danger.

“The Nigerian army has intensified efforts... to ambush him and kill him,” said Abdullahi Danladi, from the Islamic Movement.

He further noted that Nigerian government forces had threatened to kill Zakzaky during the Ashura mourning ceremonies earlier this month.

The protesters further vowed to protect the life of the leader.

“This rally is to reiterate our solidarity to the Sheikh,” said Abduhamid Bello, from Nigeria’s Islamic Movement, adding the Nigerian government should know that before it reaches to Sheikh, it “should finish with us first.”

On July 25, 32 members of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement were shot dead by Nigerian army soldiers during the international Quds Day rally in Zaria. Three sons of Zakzaky were among the victims.

On November 3, at least 27 people were killed and over 100 others wounded when a large explosion ripped through a procession of Shia worshippers mourning the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in the Potiskum area in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Yobe.

Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and 72 of his loyal companions, were martyred on Ashura -- the 10th day of Muharram, the first month on the lunar calendar -- in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 AD. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.