UPDATED: El-Zakzaky, wife return to Nigeria, detained by DSS
- Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and his wife, Zeenat, have returned to Nigeria from India
- The couple returned to Nigeria four days after they travelled to India for treatment
- El-Zakzaky and his wife arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines around 12 noon on Friday, August 16, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport
Sheikh Ibrahim El-ZakZaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and his wife, Zeenate, on Friday, August 16, arrived Nigeria from their medical trip to India.
They arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines by exactly 12noon at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.
Some high-ranking members of the IMN confirmed to journalists the couple is back in the country.
According to The Nation, they are holed up in the VIP section of the airport by some operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
El-Zakzaky had earlier cried out over the situation in India, stating that it was worse than what he and his wife experienced in Nigeria; and sources disclosed that the couple made the decision to return, following an ultimatum given by the Indian government.
Legit.ng noted that the Shiites leader had also expressed his desire to return to Nigeria if he was not granted access to doctors known to him.
Consequently, he was reportedly asked by Indian authorities to accept treatment from doctors assigned to him or leave the country.
The secretary of IMN’s Academic Forum, Abdullahi Musa, reportedly stated: “It is true Sheikh El-Zakzaky is on his way back to Nigeria. This is because he was denied access to doctors that examined him here (Nigeria), hence, knew his medical condition better.
“The Shiekh also complained of the tough security situation he was placed under.
“Based on these experiences, he refused to be treated and the ultimatum was issued him to either reverse his decision or leave India. He chose to return home rather than being treated like a criminal in a medical facility in India.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government urged Nigerians to disregard the cry by the IMN leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, that he was being held in circumstances worse than he was in Nigeria.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe.
Gekpe said that in line with a court order, El-Zakzaky was approved to embark on a trip to India with state officials and his choice to be accompanied by his aides and personal doctors was not opposed by the government.
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Source: Legit.ng
Onyirioha Nnamdi Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics. He has a professional certificate from Reuters and was awarded the editor with the best listicle for 2021. Contact: 08062988054, o.nnamdi@corp.legit.ng
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