Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has said that he enjoyed more freedom in Nigeria than in India.
El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, arrived in Nigeria on Friday after a botched medical treatment in India.
In a video made public on Saturday, the seemingly healthy-looking El-Zakzaky, during his trip to India, is seen talking with an unidentified Indian official.
“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. 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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
The Federal Government once said it was spending N3.5 million monthly to feed El-Zakzaky and his family.
The IMN leader said he made the trip at his own expense, but that the Nigerian government told Indian authorities that they were “the ones bringing us.”
The Federal Government had said on Friday that El-Zakzaky’s repatriation became necessary after he attempted to seek asylum, Igbere TV reports.
