Shiite Leader, El Zakzaky Suffers A Stroke

The Leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has reportedly suffered a ‘stroke’.

According to reports, the 68-year-old speaks with a slur and can no longer stand for prayers, and also on the verge of losing his eyesight.

El-Zakzaky has been in detention since December 2015, following a violent clash in Zaria, Kaduna State, between members of his group and the Nigerian military.

The movement, however, says his incarceration is illegal, criticising the Buhari administration for denying the leader access to medical treatment.

“The health situation of the Sheikh has nosedived. He has suffered what turned out to be a stroke. But the authorities illegally detaining him have kept a blind eye to his dire situation,” the IMN disclosed at a press conference yesterday.

The Spokesman for the group, Professor Abdullahi Danladi, said: “It emerged that his health condition suffered severe knocks in the past week, such that he was critically ill and in urgent need of the best medical attention possible. But the Buhari administration is negligent about it. He suffered slurred speech, weakness of the right side of the upper limb and general weakness of both lower limbs. Consequently, he has been unable to walk or even stand for the past week. The Sheikh is also known to have been hypertensive for more than 10 years.”