The Islamic cleric had been away on a medical trip.
Thousands of Nigerians were at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the National Stadium in Abuja on Wednesday to welcome Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites back to the country.
The Islamic cleric had been away on a medical trip.
Thousands of supporters flocked to the National Stadium in Abuja, the nation's capital, to welcome the leader and show their support and happiness upon Zakzaky’s return to Nigeria.
Addressing the crowd, Sheikh Zakzaky conveyed his gratitude for the warm reception, marking a significant occasion.
The event stands as the first major gathering where the Islamic leader addressed his followers and the public since his release from Kaduna prison in 2021 after a High Court in Kaduna State acquitted him of all charges brought against him by the government.
Zakzaky embarked on a journey to Iran on October 11, 2023, seeking treatment for himself and his wife, Malama Zeenah Ibrahim. The health issues arose from the Nigerian army's attack on their house in December 2015.
In December 2015, during the administration of then-President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army attacked Sheikh Zakzaky's residence, resulting in the tragic deaths of hundreds of his disciples, including family members.
Following the attack, Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife were arrested and detained for close to six years, ultimately gaining their freedom on July 28, 2021.
After two years of their release, in October 2023, the Nigerian government, now under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, returned their travel documents, permitting them to seek medical treatment abroad.
On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at approximately 1:25 pm, Zakzaky, accompanied by his wife, Zeenah, and their entourage, returned to Nigeria. They landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and proceeded to the National Stadium, where a reception had been organised to celebrate their return.