The family of the Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, have lost contact with him and have expressed concerns about his health and well-being. Nigerian security forces have transferred Sheikh Zakzaky to an undisclosed location.
A family member of Sheikh Zakzaky said: "We have not managed to get any information about his whereabouts. The last thing we had and seen from the Sheikh is that they have taken him out of the country."
The family member of Sheikh Zakzaky added: "We do not know where exactly Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky is, and we do not know who is accompanying him. The Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has used a cellphone and he has been communicating with his family members. But since his transfer to an undisclosed location, we have lost all contact with him. No contact between him and members of his family have taken place.
The officials of Islamic Movement in Nigeria said on Tuesday that Nigerian police forces have transferred Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky to the court of Kaduna, accusing him of murder.
Zakzaky has completely rejected the accusations against him.
The family member added: "Nigeria government, is under pressure from Saudi Arabia, to execute Sheikh Zakzaky".
Zakzaky lost his left eye sight in a raid, which was carried out by the Nigerian army on his residence in the Northern town of Zaria back in December 2015.
During the raid, Zakzaky’s wife sustained serious wounds, and more than 300 of his followers, and three of his sons were killed. Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife, and a large number of the cleric’s followers have since been in custody.
The clergyman is said to have been charged with “criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances."
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has called on the federal government "to listen to reason and to release Sheikh Zakzaky immediately".
