Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has described his stay at the Department of State Services (DSS) detention as that of luxury compared to his experience in Medenta Hospital, New Delhi, India.
El-Zakzaky, who left for the Asian country for medical treatment only to return on Friday, noted that he was detained at a well-furnished house located beside the Senate President’s residence.
He also added that he was also free to move around.
Speaking in a video with an unidentified Indian official, El-Zakzaky said he enjoyed some level of freedom in Nigeria unlike in India where he was in ”prison”.
He said, “I have been about four years in prison now; a house fully furnished. In fact, our next neighbour was the Senate President; a large house. I was free to move about.
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“Similarly, when they moved me to Kaduna I was in the best area – government reserved area. It is a house fully furnished with large bedrooms and I was free. I have never been in detention with police there; in fact, the soldiers used to stay outside at the gate. That is what they have been doing. When we came here, we were put in prison.”
The cleric added, “I will definitely prefer another hospital. I was told that some Shi’ite Ulama came and said I should be allowed to be treated in India.”
El-Zakyzaky further said, ”They said I am the one to take myself to hospital, not the government. We bought our own tickets, the government people with us bought their own,” the healthy-looking Islamic cleric said.
“Somehow, when we came here, we learnt the embassy changed the story. We learnt the Nigerian government told them they are bringing in two patients charged with a criminal offence, and they also solicited the support of the Indian government for the security of these people; they also spoke with the hospital about what to do. And they claim they are the ones bringing us,” he explained.