TheCable

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has accused the federal government of frustrating the medical treatment of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, their leader, in India.

El-Zakzaky and his wife left Nigeria for the Asian country on Monday based on a leave granted by a Kaduna high court.

He was accompanied by some family members and security operatives.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abdullahi Musa, secretary of academic forum of the movement, alleged that the federal government and some security operatives “working for the US government” were conniving to ensure that the IMN leader would not be treated.

He said the management of Medanta Hospital, New Delhi, had been threatened not to admit him for treatment.

The group added that the agents  believed to be working with American embassy in India have perfected strategies  to frustrate El-Zakzaky.

“Reports reaching us from the hospital indicate that the security agents are colluding with foreign security agents believed to be working for American government,” the statement read.

“Even before the Sheikh arrived the hospital, we gathered from competent source that officials of American embassy in India instructed management of the hospital not to admit the Sheikh for treatment.

“The source added  that even as the doctors were enthusiastically waiting to receive the Sheikh to save his life, the American secret agents have threatened the hospital officials not to go ahead to treat the Sheikh at the hospital.”

The group, however, called on international community and “people of conscience” to prevail on the Nigerian government and its “western masters” to stop playing with the life of their leader.

On his arrival in India on Wednesday, medical officials received El-Zakzaky and he was  stretched into a waiting mobile intensive care ambulance.