Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has raised alarm over the deteriorating health of its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
El-Zakzaky had been held in “protective
custody” since the 14th day of December 2015 when the Movement clashed
with the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State last year.
The group, also known as Shiites,
expressed fear that El-Zakzaky who had been under “protective custody at
the Department of State Service detention facility, might die due to
his failing health.
The Chairman, Resource Forum of the
Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Danladi insisted that
El-Zakzaky needed urgent medical attention following injuries he
sustained when members of the group clashed with the Nigeria Army last
year.
Danladi added that El-Zakzaky’s wife and
other members were critically wounded and were still on various
military detention facilities across the north.
Danladi said El-Zakzaky’s wife had
bullets lodged close to her spinal cord, noting that a doctor had said
that an attempt to remove the bullet may lead to her being paralysed.
He called on the government to release them and others in detention for proper medical treatment.
“With the health condition of the IMN leader, we fear that he may die in detention. Anything can happen to him,” he said
He added that one of the eyes of its leader was in dire need of specialized medical attention.
He said El-Zakzaky’s left arm where he sustained gunshot wounds was still demobilized and the wounds are yet to heal.
Danladi noted that the refusal to
release the Shiite leader was an indication that the federal government
had some ulterior motives.
The Chairman said, “The Islamic Movement
in Nigeria (IMN) is deeply concerned about the health of our
incarcerated leader and believe that it is in the interest of the
Nigerian State and those holding him to release him unconditionally to
enable him attend to his heath.”
