El-Zakzaky alleged that hey were only brought to another detention facility and they do not feel safe there because a new set of doctors whom he had not made any prior arrangement with, were brought to handle his case.

This development  was confirmed by the spokesperson of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa, who said the group had received an audio message from El-Zakzaky in which he told them of the “terrible condition” they had been subjected to in India.

Read the full transcript below.

We are now here in New Delhi, India. As you all know there was an arrangement for us to come here to seek medical care regarding the ailments that we have, myself and Malama Zeenah.

She, Malama Zeenah has a full bullet lodged in her body(that needs to be removed), also she is in need of a knee replacement surgery in addition to other problems. As for me, there are shrapnel, very small fragments in my eyes, in my hands and some in my right thigh that were slowly releasing toxins into my system which caused a lot of complications, which we later discovered that they were the caused of the mini-strokes I have had, both the first and the second time. So we were thinking the first thing to be done is to remove the shrapnel, which is a procedure that couldn’t be done at home and the doctors suggested that we should go abroad where it will be possible for the procedure to be done.

Then the second thing would be to clean my body of the toxins, which I was told are deposited in the bones and some in the flesh and this normally takes time to be done.

I also have a problem with my eye which the doctors that attended to us since after I had a second operation and my sight weakened, suggested that I should be taken to better facilities to have it tended to.

After all this, we were all happy that we are in Delhi and we would be going to a suitable hospital to receive appropriate treatment. In addition, the doctors that came to visit us when we were in Nigeria advised us to come to this hospital called Medanta. That is why we requested to be brought to this hospital.

So before we left Nigeria we heard the news that the American embassy here in India was pressuring the hospital not to admit us when we arrive. And that the hospital had agreed to refuse admitting us. So we were considering going somewhere else when we arrive. But we were later informed that the problem had been sorted out and we would be admitted to the hospital. So we set out from Nigeria.

As soon as we arrived here, we were met with some hospital staff at the airport that escorted us to the hospital.

Since we were in the ambulance they informed that there were a lot of people at the airport waiting to see us even if just when we are boarding the ambulance. But they have evaded them and distracted them by placing two ambulances at that exit claiming we will be boarding those but they decided to bring a different ambulance and leave through a different route so the people at the airport didn’t even get a glimpse.

And they also said that there was a lot of people at the hospital entrance to see us arrive. But they informed us that if we arrive we will be taken in through a back entrance. They said they did this due to the high number of people, they were concerned that in people’s attempt to reach us in the crowd some harm can be done to us, that’s what they said.

After we arrived we realized that in this hospital, or better yet someone working in the Nigerian embassy here told us that before we came, they had carried out a meeting with the hospital staff, the workers from the Nigerian embassy and some security operatives on how to go about things once we are here.

So we saw that we were practically brought to another detention facility which is even stricter than the one we were in back in Nigeria. They came here with police armed with guns and a lot of staff from the Nigerian embassy. And we also noticed we were brought into another detention that we only came based on trust.

Even in Nigeria, they agreed where we were detained that we would be treated only by the doctors we choose and are comfortable with allowing to treat us. But here we understand that the doctors that advised us to come here are blocked from having any say in our case. They even told us when we spoke to them, they are only allowed to advise but the hospital reserves the right to decide the course of our treatment. So I told them that, we came here based on the trust we have in our doctors, we cannot just see any doctor that we don’t know, or trust to treat us.

And without recommendation from those we do trust, we cannot allow a stranger to treat us, lest not what couldn’t be done with bullets be carried out in a different way.

Due to this, we think that based on everything we have seen so far indicates to us that we are not safe here. We were just brought to another detention.

I have been detained now for a collective total of about 13 years but I have never seen a detention like the one I am in now.

Even at the door, they have placed armed police. Even between one room to the next we are not allowed to move. Then I see that even where we were, and of all the times I have been imprisoned in Nigeria, I have not seen anything like this. When I was in an actual prison They used to lock us up around 9:00 pm and open the doors at 7:00 am, and we could move about where ever we wish within the prison facility we were detained in.

I see here that even when I was in kirikiri prison it wasn’t as constricting as in this situation. So I feel that it is not reasonable to leave detention in order to seek medical help and we be placed in a different detention and on top of that, we be handed over to be treated by people we do not trust.

So, based on this we are thinking that Insha Allah by all apparent indications that there is a need for us to return home since we were allowed to travel abroad for medical care and India doesn’t appear to be a safe place for us. We would have to return home, afterall, there are other countries that offered to receive us if we could go there.

These countries include Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey, we can convene to decide which one to go to and then go there Insha Allahul Adheem.

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In his ruling,  Justice Darius Khobo, also ordered that the IMN leader and his wife be accompanied abroad by officials of the Kaduna State government.

The presiding judge ruled further  that El-Zakzaky and his wife should proceed to India for medical treatment.

He, however, did not give any time frame as to how long they will stay in India.

Similarly, no date has been fixed for the defendants to embark on the medical trip.

The post Court Finally Grants El-Zakzaky, Wife Leave To Seek Medical Treatment Abroad first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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IMN in a statement issued on Wednesday by its  spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, informed that  the suspension of the free Elzakzaky street protests is to allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by their lawyers on the proscription order made by the federal government this week.

Mr. Musa also hinted that the IMN has taken the step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine,while they sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the alleged illegal detention of their leader for almost four years now.

“If at all any protests occur anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are mischievously behind it as they have been doing in an attempt to smear our image and be seen as unruly people rather than as victims of savage oppression since 2015.

“The Islamic Movement wishes to thank both national and international civil rights activists and organizations who have been busy demanding the protection of our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“We are committed to exploring the new openings we have seen in resolving this protracted issue.

“We, therefore, reiterate our demand that our leader, his wife, and several others in detention be given their freedom denied to them since 2015”, the statement reads.

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Owolabi, 23, was shot while covering a confrontation between Shiite Muslim protesters and Nigerian police, and died the same day after being taken to a hospital, according to a Channels TV broadcast uploaded to its YouTube page. He had been covering a protest over the detention of Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, according to the same Channels TV report.

Channels TV said that Owolabi was working at the station as part of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps, a one-year work assignment carried out by all graduates before the age of 30.

“A swift and credible investigation into the shooting that killed Precious Owolabi is critical for journalists in Nigeria to believe the government is committed to their safety,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal. “Journalists should never be targeted during the course of their work, and when members of the press are harmed, those responsible must be held accountable.”

CPJ was unable to determine which side fired the shot that injured Owolabi.

Tavershima Adongo, a medical and health consultant with the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, told CPJ that he watched the confrontation from the window of a ministry of health building. “[Owolabi] I think he still wanted to record the event, so he moved closer to the crowds and they shot him,” Adongo said, adding that he “couldn’t tell exactly which side” the bullet came from because his view of the journalist at that moment was obstructed by a parked car.

Adongo said the shot that hit Owolabi came after police fired tear gas and some protesters had advanced toward the police. “[Owolabi] was in between [the protesters and police]. He didn’t leave his position. Maybe he thought perhaps he was not going to be harmed…the police took him away [after he was hit],” Adongo said.

A journalist who was at the scene, but requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told CPJ he saw police fire their guns and that he did not see protesters with firearms.

Police spokesperson Frank Mba told CPJ via phone that as well as Owolabi, deputy police commissioner Usman Umar was shot and died from his injuries. Mba said, “The first hypothesis is that these guys were all shot by the protesters and the deputy commissioner of police was shot point blank, at close range, by the protesters.”

When asked if the police had fired shots during the confrontation, Mba said, “When the rioters started shooting at the policemen, the policemen they needed to fire shots into the air to let [the protesters] know that [the police] equally have weapons. They fired warning shots. When we handle protesters in this country we are guided by the principle of proportionality of force and we will always adhere to our rules of engagement and international best practices.”

Adullahi Muhammed, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria’s secretary to the academic forum, told CPJ that he was at the front of the protest and did not see any protesters with firearms. He added that some threw rocks at police after police began shooting.

John Momoh, the chairman of Channels TV’s parent company, Channels Media Group, has asked police to open an investigation into Owolabi’s killing, according to a report on the Channels TV website.

Suleiman Aliyu, another member of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps and a reporter with the daily Leadership A Yau, the Hausa language service of the Leadership newspaper, was also shot and injured at the protest, but he was not reporting at the time, according to the Leadership.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted condolences to the families of Owolabi and Umar.

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Contained in a statement signed  by the spokesperson for the Force Headquarters, Frank Mba, the IGP informed that this  is due to the series of protests by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites.

The statement reads, “the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate beef-up of security in all the States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This is in the face of series of violent protest and unrest by members of the El-Zazakky group in the FCT,”

The IGP , also  assured citizens that proactive measures including aerial surveillance of major cities have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of lives and property.

Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide have also been mandated by the IGP to ensure customised security arrangements are put in place in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace.

The Police boss also warned that protesters to not breach public peace while going about their demonstrations.

“The IGP has further advised all would-be protesters to ensure they express their grievances within the ambit of the law so as not to infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens or cause a breach of public peace.”

Adamu, however, urged citizens to be wary of circulating unsubstantiated security advisories capable of creating undue fear, panic, and apprehension in the country.

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The post IGP Orders Police To Beef-Up Security Nationwide appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Confirming this development in a statement from the Force Headquarters, DCP Umar was killed in a protest involving about 3000 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) who have been calling for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

The police communique issued by DCP Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, adds that two Assistant Superintendents of Police were injured in the clash which also saw a Staff of Channels Television sustain serious injuries.

The post DCP Killed In Shiite Protest, Police Confirms first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post DCP Killed In Shiite Protest, Police Confirms appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

He disclosed this to State House correspondents when he met the President at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

He hinted that  the President directed him to provide security for every Nigerian.

The IGP, Adamu had earlier briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

President Buhari summoned the police boss following the latest in a series of protests by the Shiites in the nation’s capital.

At least three of the protests by the Shiite group since the beginning of July have turned violent, leading to clashes with police personnel and people injured from both sides.

The protesters are calling on the Federal Government to release their leader, Ibrahim Elzakzaky, who was taken into custody since 2015.

Monday’s protest, also turned violent as members of the Shiite group clashed with police.

Shortly after the incident, the police, in a statement, asked Nigerians to remain calm while residents of Abuja were advised to avoid the affected areas.

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The post Buhari to IGP: Provide Security For Every Nigerian appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The protest by the Shiites, on Monday turned violent, including the environs of the Federal Secretariat.

Policemen who cordoned off the road leading to the National Assembly and the three arms zone disrupted the protest by the Shiites, firing teargas to disperse the crowd.

The police have taken control of the area

Members of the IMN have been protesting against the continued detention of their leader Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzakky.

The post NIGERIA: Channels TV Reporter Shot As Shiite Protesters Clash With Police Today first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post NIGERIA: Channels TV Reporter Shot As Shiite Protesters Clash With Police Today appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.