From Sola Ojo, Kaduna

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MEMBERS of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) have demanded the  immediate release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. They said  El-Zakzaky was dying in the acclaimed safe custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
El-Zakzaky was arrested as a result of a clash between the Islamic sect members and men of Nigerian Army that left scores dead in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna yesterday,  Prof. Abdullahi Danladi, who spoke on behalf of IMN said the Sheikh was being held and allowed to gradually lose his sight and die in detention.
According to him: “What is obvious is that his health  condition and his sight in particular, is rapidly deteriorating.
“We would like to strongly appeal to those that are holding him hostage illegally in violation of his basic rights, to release him as a matter of urgency to enable him seek medical attention in any place of his choice.”
The group said it was deeply concerned about the health of their leader and believed that it is in the interest of the Nigerian state and those holding him to release him unconditionally to enable him attend to his medical needs.
Danladi revealed that the surgery earlier carried out on El-ZakZaky’s left eye by the DSS chosen doctor had failed and that the doctor who carried out the operation also confessed that the case was beyond him now.
The IMN is calling on all human rights groups, rights activists,  well-meaning Nigerians and newsmen to join hands in demanding for justice for IMN’s leadership and members who are languishing in Kaduna prison, and those still kept in various military formations and DSS detention facilities.