ABUJA (Reuters) - The leader of Nigeria’s Shi’ite Muslim sect, rumoured to have died in detention, made his first public appearance in two years on Saturday, after police arrested dozens of members of the group during protests calling for his release this week.

Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), has been imprisoned at an unknown location without charge since December 2015 after his followers clashed with the army in the northern city of Zaria.

A judicial inquiry the following year said 347 IMN members were killed by the military and buried in mass graves.

The violent repression of IMN and detention of Zakzaky, despite a court ruling that he could not be held without charge and should be released, drew accusations of human rights abuses by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

In a brief exchange in the capital Abuja, Zakzaky told reporters that authorities had allowed him to see his doctor for treatment of an unspecified condition.

“For the first time at least the security (officers) have allowed me to see my own doctors,” he said, according to footage of the exchange. “I am getting better.”

This week, Nigerian social media had been awash with rumours that Zakzaky had died. From Monday to Wednesday, IMN members protested in the capital, with police arresting 52 people without specifying charges.

In 2016, Nigeria’s northern state of Kaduna declared IMN - a minority sect in the mainly Sunni Muslim north - unlawful on security grounds, angering its adherents as anyone convicted of being a member could be imprisoned for up to seven years.

The ban triggered a wave of attacks on IMN members, worsening sectarian rivalries in northern Nigeria, where the army is also fighting Boko Haram, Sunni Islamist militants who have killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Security analysts have drawn parallels between the Shi’ite group and Boko Haram, whose insurgency began in 2009 after security forces killed hundreds of its members and its leader Mohammed Yusuf died in custody. Zakzaky was badly wounded in the 2015 clashes.

Nigeria, with a population of 190 million, combines a predominantly Christian south and mainly Sunni Muslim north. Shi’ites are estimated at less than 4 million, although there are no official figures. Human Rights Watch estimates that IMN has around 3 million members.

IMN was founded in the 1980s after an Islamic revolution in mainly Shi’ite Iran in 1979, which inspired the sect’s founders.</s>Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, rumored to have died in detention, has made his first public appearance since he was illegally detained by security forces in 2015.

Zakzaky, who is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), told reporters in the capital Abuja on Saturday that he was alive and well.

He also thanked Nigerians for their prayers as well as the DSS for allowing him access to his doctors.

“For the first time at least the security (officers) have allowed me to see my own doctors,” he said, according to footage of the exchange. “I am getting better.”

“So it was my own doctors who examined me. Before I used to be examined by security doctors, this time I did not agree, and my own doctors came to examine me,” he said.

It was unclear under what circumstances Zakzaky gave the interview.

Rumors of his death spread on the Nigerian social media this week.

The top Shia cleric lost his left eyesight in a raid which was carried out by the Nigerian army on his residence in the northern town of Zaria in December 2015.

During the raid, Zakzaky’s wife sustained serious wounds too and more than 300 of his followers and three of his sons were killed. Zakzaky, his wife, and a large number of the cleric’s followers have since been in custody.

Despite the ruling of a Federal High Court, which ordered his unconditional release in 2016, the Nigerian government has refused to set him free.

Earlier this week, a UK-based NGO known as the Islamic Human Rights Commission, voiced concern over the health condition of the detained Muslim cleric.

The clergyman is said to have been charged with “criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.”

During the third day of consecutive protests on Tuesday, Nigerian government forces opened fire on demonstrators demanding the release of Zakzaky. One person was severely injured during clashes with Nigerian forces and another 50 people were detained in Abuja.

Nigerian sources told Press TV on Monday that at least two young students were killed by security forces during the ongoing protests in Kaduna which broke out on January 7.</s>A prominent pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim cleric, who has been held in custody for more than two years in Nigeria, on Saturday made a rare public appearance to counter rumours that he had died.

Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), was arrested in December 2015 after his supporters clashed with the military in the northern city of Zaria.

He lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest, in which troops allegedly killed more than 300 IMN supporters and arrested hundreds of others.

His lawyer and human rights groups have repeatedly called for him to be released on health grounds from secret police detention in the capital, Abuja.

Rumours swirled earlier this week that he had died but on Saturday he was seen with his wife, Zainab, at the offices of the country’s intelligence agency, the Department of State Services.

The 64-year-old cleric wore a neck brace over his traditional robes and walked with the help of a stick before getting into a waiting vehicle.

He told reporters only that an unspecified medical condition had been “severe on me on Monday” but symptoms then subsided and he was allowed to see his own doctor for the first time.

Zakzaky’s wife is said to have been in a “far worse” state, with bullets from the attack in December 2015 still lodged in her body.

The couple’s lawyer said in November last year that she had been in “excruciating pain and agony on a daily basis” and her life was in danger unless she received urgent medical attention.

Nigeria’s government has previously ignored a court order to release the couple.

Zakzaky has been at loggerheads with Nigeria’s secular authorities before because of his repeated calls for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

A DSS official, Nnanna Nnochiri, said the rumours about Zakzaky’s health were “unfounded” and circulated by people wanting to “foment trouble”.

“The man is alive, he’s on his feet, he’s hale and hearty, he’s up and doing,” he said.</s>El-Zakzaky allowed brief appearance after two years’ detention

Two years after arrest which has been criticised his followers and attracted trenchant criticism from human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was on Saturday, allowed to make a public appearance.

Though he still remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), he was allowed to meet some journalists in Abuja on Saturday with a message that appears primarily focused on dousing his followers’ increasing anxiety over rumours of his death.

While confirming that he is alive and well, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky expressed appreciation to all Nigerians who have been praying for his safety.

He also thanked the DSS for agreeing to his demand for a change that has enabled his personal doctors to examine him.

“It was severe· on me on Monday but subsequently it started subsiding and for the first time; at least the security allowed me to see· my own doctors .

“So it was my own doctors who examined me.

“Before, I used to be· examined by DSS doctors alone but this time, I did not agree and my own doctors came to examine· me .

“I am getting better, thanks to all your prayers,” he stated.

Earlier, Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria had issued a statement stating the strongly- rumoured death of Sheikh El-Zakzaky on Friday was a deliberate plot aimed at provoking violent protests and an opportunity for miscreants to cause trouble.

“Credible reports have confirmed that hoodlums have been commissioned by the authorities to foment trouble by burning tyres and properties in the course of our peaceful processions.

“Part of their evil plot involved spreading false news of the alleged death of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky due to illness, on a fake Facebook page.

“They had hoped to achieve their mischievous aims by using that to wreak havoc and attribute same to a supposed reaction of members of the Islamic Movement,” he stated.

According to the IMN spokesman, security agents opened fire on IMN members who were conducting a peaceful protest over El-Zakzaky’s deteriorating health under illegal detention.

He further alleged that two people were killed, scores were wounded while hundreds of the protesters, including an IMN leader, Sheikh Qasim Umar Sokoto were arrested.

Early in November last year, human rights lawyer· Mr Femi Falana has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order· the immediate· release· of the leader· of Ibrahim El Zakzaky .

In a letter· dated November 7 and addressed to the President, noted that a Federal High Court in Abuja had in December 2016 ordered the release· of El-Zakzaky and his wife from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) .

He further noted that the court also awarded them N50 million reparation and directed the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for them as it had been established that the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state· government had burnt and demolished their private residence at Zaria in Kaduna State.

The post El-Zakzaky allowed brief appearance after two years’ detention appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

Do you have something awesome to share with the world? Click here to share

Do you ever have any question about anything you wish to ask and get answer? Click here to ask

Also, Like us on facebook

This post was syndicated from The Nation Nigeria. Click here to read the full text on the original website.</s>The detained leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has made his first public appearance more than two years after he was detained by the Nigerian government.

Mr. El-Zakzaky met with a select group of journalists on Saturday at the State Security Service office in Abuja, Channels Television reported.

PREMIUM TIMES was not invited to the meeting organised by the State Security Service, and could not independently confirm Mr. El-Zakzaky’s appearance or condition.

Mr. El-Zakzaky, who leads Nigeria’s most popular Shi’ia group, has been in the custody of the SSS since 2015. He has been held without trial despite court orders directing his release.

The appearance came a day after rumours of Mr. El-Zakzaky’s death spread on the social media. The rumour was denied by his lawyer, Femi Falana.

In a brief video on Channels, Mr. El-Zakzaky is seen walking unsteadily out of a building to speak to journalists. He is later driven away in a Toyota Prado SUV.

Mr. El-Zakzaky said he had been allowed access to his personal physician for the first time, and thanked Nigerians for their prayers.

“It was severe on me on Monday but subsequently it started subsiding and for the first time at least the security allowed me to see my own Doctors.

“So it was my own doctors who examined me. Before I used to be examined by security doctors, this time I did not agree, and my own doctors came to examine me.

“I am getting better, thanks to all your prayers,” Mr. Zakzaky said before leaving for the vehicle.

Reacting to Mr. El-Zakzaky’s appearance, the IMN spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that none of the IMN members were aware of the arrangement.

“We have seen the one minute video, but what they should do is to obey the court order by freeing the Sheik so that he can go and look after his health,” he said.

“We will continue to press for our demand until the federal government obey’s the court order,” Mr. Musa said.

The IMN leader and his wife were arrested on December 14, 2015in Zaria following a clampdown on Shiites by the Nigerian Army.

At least 347 members Shiites were killed and secretly buried in mass graves by the army.

A Federal High Court in Abuja in December 2016 ordered the release of Mr. Zakzaky and his wife. The government refused to obey the order.

Members of the IMN group have been staging series of processions across the northern states demanding their release.</s>Nigerian Shi’ite leader, rumoured dead, makes first public appearance in two years – Reuters

Do you have something awesome to share with the world? Click here to share

Do you ever have any question about anything you wish to ask and get answer? Click here to ask

Also, Like us on facebook

This post was syndicated from Africa - Google News. Click here to read the full text on the original website.</s>First Zakzaky interview after 2 years in prison

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (MNA) – After International call upon Nigerian government to pay heed to the critical health condition of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Muslims in Nigeria , who is in prison for two years with no trial and legal prosecution, the regime allows the cleric to meet with his own doctors. He says that in the past he was just visited by security physicians and this is the first time that he has been given the chance to have an interview and visit his own physicians. Two years ago in December 2015, Nigerian army attacked on a religious ceremony held by Sheikh Zakzaky. During the attack the scholar’s sons along with many followers of him were killed and the scholar and his wife were detained.</s>The spiritual leader of Shiites, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since December 2015 has denied social media reports that he was dead.

The 68-year-old leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) said from his detention that he is hale and hearty.

El-Zakzaky, made his first public appearance at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday since his detention.

Shiites had a major confrontation with troops of the Nigeria Army in the middle of December 2015 in Zaria, leading to the death of many sect members.

The sect had in July 2014 similarly encountered the military and three of El-Zakzaky children were among those cut down in the violence.

The Kaduna state had probed the fracas which resulted in the issuance of a Gazette proscribing Shiites Islamic sect.

Zakzaky told journalists on Saturday at the DSS headquarters in Abuja that he was well and he thanked Nigerians for sustaining his life with endless prayers.

“It was severe on me on Monday but subsequently it started subsiding and for the first time at least the security allowed me to see my own doctor.

“So it was my own doctors who examined me. Before I used to be examined by the security doctors, but this time I did not agree, and my own doctors came to examine me. I am getting better, thanks for all your prayers.”

Explaining the reasons for showing him to the public with his wife, the spokesperson of DSS, Mr. Nnanna Nnochiri, said that it was basically to dispel his death rumour.

“In the last two days, there was unfounded rumour spreading across Nigeria that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, passed on in the custody of the service.

“However, as you can see, and from your interview with him, he pointedly told you that he is okay.

“That will settle all the doubting Thomases across the country and those who wanted to capitalise on the said rumour to forment trouble in the country.

“They can now see that the man is alive, hale and hearty and up and doing.

“You saw him with his wife and the fact was that some people wanted to take advantage of some developments in some parts of the country to make trouble and mobilise the people to engage in untoward activities, which can impact very negatively on the security, stability, and order of the nation.

“The fact is, now that they have seen that the man is alive and that nothing happened to him, we want to believe that such persons who ab-initio have planned to take advantage of such situation should desist from every plan or act they may have put in place.

“For us, Nigeria must remain peaceful, stable and trust in the government and security agencies to provide the enabling environment to allow residents, citizens and everyone as far as you are law abiding to pursue their legitimate businesses.’’

He said that DSS was appealing to everyone to be peace-loving and to go about their normal businesses and report any negative and suspicious developments in their neighbourhood.

“We are at alert and we will continue to execute our mandate and responsibilities according to law. We implore everyone that we need partnership of all to cooperate with us to ensure that there is peace,” he appealed.</s>‘Shatta Wale Hardly Gets Any Airplay On Nigerian Radio’ – Juliet Ibrahim

The post ‘Shatta Wale Hardly Gets Any Airplay On Nigerian Radio’ – Juliet Ibrahim appeared first on INFORMATION NIGERIA.

Do you have something awesome to share with the world? Click here to share

Do you ever have any question about anything you wish to ask and get answer? Click here to ask

Also, Like us on facebook

This post was syndicated from INFORMATION NIGERIA. Click here to read the full text on the original website.</s>The appearance came a day after rumours of Mr. El-Zakzaky’s death spread on the social media.

The post Shiite leader, El-Zakzaky, in ‘first public appearance since 2015’ appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Do you have something awesome to share with the world? Click here to share

Do you ever have any question about anything you wish to ask and get answer? Click here to ask

Also, Like us on facebook

This post was syndicated from Premium Times Nigeria. Click here to read the full text on the original website.
Nigerian Shia Islamic Movement leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, who is detained at an unknown location without charges since December 2015, makes a short public appearance, his first in two years, being allowed to see his doctor.