The leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky reportedly marked his birthday in detention as he turned 66 on Friday May 12, 2017.

In a report by SaharaReporters, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, who are referred to as Shiites, marched to the Abuja detention where El-Zakzaky is being kept since 2016.

After the mild celebration, the group reportedly took to the streets of Abuja to register displeasure at the continued incarceration of their leader.

In a statement by the Shiites, Sheik Abdulhamid Belloreportedly said: “We are out to lament at the way the Nigerian government is mishandling one of its most prominent elder statesmen.

“We come out to remind the World of the genocide executed by the Nigerian government using all its machinery of state power against unarmed citizens. We are out today, on the occasion of the 66th birthday of our leader, demanding for justice and his immediate freedom.

“He should be released instantly as ordered by a federal high court in Abuja, so that at least he can attend to his failing health,” Bello said.

El-Zakzakky and his wife, Malama Zeenat Ibrahim were arrested and held captive when his followers and officers of the Nigerian Army clashed in 2015.