Suhaila, daughter of the leader of the banned Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has said that her father was at the risk of death from lead and cadmium poisoning.
Speaking on BBC’s Focus on Africa, she explained that the poisoning might be as a result of shrapnel in her father’s body from when he was shot in 2015 when the Nigerian Army raided our home.”
Suhaila said the Shiite sect leader had had an eye operation in Nigeria to remove shrapnel lodged in one of his eyes but his sight had been declining ever since.
“I am really worried… especially because of the lead and cadmium poisoning. His doctors say if he gets to a certain level his organs could start failing and that’s really scary because that means he could just die at any moment,” she said.
Meanwhile, El-Zakzaky and wife, Zeenat who left for medical treatment at Medanta Hospital in New Delhi, India are expected back in Nigeria today.
The Muslim leader discharged himself and his wife yesterday following irreconcilable differences between the cleric and government officials and security personnel on his entourage.
The IMN leader had expressed discomfort with the medical doctors and heavy security presence around him and his wife, at the Indian hospital.
In a video tape that went viral on social media, El-Zakzaky complained that the condition at the Indian hospital was worse than the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Nigeria
Confirming the aborted medical trip, the president, media forum of IMN, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, said in a statement on Thursday that El-Zakzaky and his wife left New Delhi around 5:00 p.m. (Thursday) Nigerian time, heading back to the country.
He blamed the federal government for scuttling the IMN leader’s planned treatment.
“Following lack of a breakthrough in the impasse that ensued in the treatment in New Delhi of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, it is now confirmed that the Sheikh is on his way back to Abuja.
“In a video message sent through his office, the Sheikh said it was decided that they will be taken to the airport to be flown back to Nigeria.
“He has left Delhi by 17:00 Nigerian time.”
“The Nigerian government’s interference and scuttling of the whole process rather than supervision as ordered by the court is the direct cause of the impasse.
“The government never wanted the medical leave in the first place, and did whatever to stop it by all means possible,” said Musa.
He added that on El-Zakzaky’s return, he would still seek to travel to another country for medical treatment.
“If the Sheikh comes back, we are going to look for an alternative country to go. Like the Sheikh said, we will choose to go to Malaysia, Turkey or Indonesia.
“We are expecting the Sheikh tomorrow (today) in Nigeria. He insisted that the doctors who had already examined him before should be allowed to have a say in his treatment.
“Initially, they agreed that his doctors should be part of the team and observe the treatment. But they later refused and the Sheikh said since they will not allow the doctors to observe the treatment, it is better he return home.
“The doctors are not working in the hospital, but the Sheikh has the right to ensure that his doctors are part of the team to treat him.
“They initially agreed, but later the government and the hospital management refused,” he added.
