No fewer than 20 members of the Shi’ite sect were killed, yesterday,
as the military cracked down on the sect for blocking the highways
during their public procession in Zaria, Kaduna State. The sect,
however, claimed that hundreds of its members were killed by soldiers
who stormed three of its locations with heavy military weapons. It was
gathered that the troops engaged members of the sect throughout the
night as heavy shootings and sounds of explosions were heard in Gyallesu
and Sokoto Road, where Hussainiyya – the spiritual centre of the sect –
is located.
The Nigerian Army and members of the sect have accused each other of
instigating attacks that led to the death of members of the movement on
Saturday.
While the Army accused the Shiite followers of attempting to
assassinate Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, the Islamic
movement said soldiers simply decided to attack “defenceless people”.
The army on its part vowed to put an end to the threats, delays and disruption caused by the group.
Meanwhile, the where about of the leader of the sect, Sayyid
Ibraheem Zakzaky was unknown as the sect claimed that its members, who
were killed, included the leader of the Kano Centre, Sheikh Muhammad
Turi, the son of sect leader, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife.
In its account of the violent confrontation between it and the
military, the sect, in a statement by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa said:
“Following alleged blockade of the route of the Chief of Army Staff by
the members of the Movement, the Nigerian Army brutally descended on
armless members of the Movement with heavy military weapons killing
indiscriminately.
Those killed
“In the mean time, leading members of the Islamic Movement and other
members as well, have been killed by the soldiers including the leader
of the Kano Center, Sheikh Muhammad Turi, Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed, Malam
Ibrahim Usman and Sister Jummai Gilima.
“Also killed were Sayyid Aliy, the son of the leader of the Movement,
Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky; the wife of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky, Malama
Zeenat Ibraheem and tens of other members as more are being killed as
at the time of this release.
“The sporadic killings took place at three locations that included
the residence of the revered leader of the Movement at Gyallesu, the
Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA and the Darur Rahma located along
Zaria-Jos road where many unarmed people were killed.
“The killing was so brutal at Gyallesu that even those injured in the
shooting were identified and killed in cold blood by the soldiers. And
as at the time of writing this press release, the victims are in their
hundreds, if not thousands.
“Considering the gross violation of fundamental human rights and
extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the Nigerian Army, the Islamic
Movement hereby condemns these unjustifiable acts.
“We state categorically that the claim by the Army that members of
the Movement attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff was a
blatant lie as the army came back to launch their attack more than an
hour after the COAS had passed.
“Clearly, the Nigerian government through its military is now on
rampage in an all out war with the Islamic movement, its members and
structures. The scale of this attack would suggest it was meticulously
planned by authorities and now being executed ruthlessly. The alleged
attack on COAS Burutai was just an alibi.
“Therefore, with all pointers at the government as the contractor of
the killings, we hereby call on well meaning Nigerians and the
international community to intervene and seek redress for the victims
and their family members as many innocent people have unjustifiably been
killed and many others severely injured.
“In the mean time, there is no idea as to the where about of the
leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky nor his current
condition, and aggrieved members of the Movement across the country have
taken to the streets in protests”.
The killing of Turi, the leader of the Kano Center, has sparked
tension in Kano, as members of the sect staged a rally from Saturday
night till about 4am on Sunday. Another rally held on Sunday around
Fagged Mosque, popularly known as ‘Waje Mosque’. According to a Kano
resident, tens of thousands of Shi’ia members trooped to the nooks and
crannies of Kano, passing through the palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji
Muhammadu Sanusi II, and raining expletives on the military personnel
attached to Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff.
Army vows to ensure law and order prevail
The Nigerian Army in a statement giving an update on the
confrontation said, “Saturday’s incident involving clashes between
detachments of the Nigerian Army, accompanying the Chief of Army Staff,
Lieutenant General TY Buratai and followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El
Zak-Zaky, suspected to be members of the Shiite Sect in Zaria, leading
to loss of lives as a result of the Shiite group members’ blocking roads
and not allowing other passers-by to go about their lawful businesses
and activities, was most unfortunate.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the rights of any group of
persons and Sheikh El Zak Zaky’s followers to hold a peaceful march or
procession unhindered, but it also guarantees other people’s rights of
way on public highways.
“It is important to note that over the years this group has subjected
ordinary citizens using public roads to untold hardship, delays,
threats and disruption simply because they insist on using public space
irrespective of inconvenience and hardship on other law abiding citizens
and motorists.”
The statement signed by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public relations said: “This cannot be tolerated and must stop!
“As soon as order is restored to the situation in Zaria city and its
environs, the Police will conduct an enquiry and the public will be
informed.
“In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful
business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police.
In an earlier statement on the clash, the army said that members of
the Shiite Islamic sect Saturday attacked the Chief of Army staff, Lt.
General Tukur Buratai and his convoy on their way to Zaria to attend the
passing out parade of 73rd regular intake of Depot, Nigerian Army.
The army added that the attack was a planned assassination attempt on
the army boss which was repelled and that the army Chief escaped
unhurt.
In the ensuing shootout that followed, an unspecified number of
persons lost their lives while there were injuries on both the side of
the army and the Shiites.
A statement by the Army had said : “The sect numbering hundreds and
carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy
stones and tyres.
“They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects.
“The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the
Chief of Army Staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate
official assignment as Special Guest of Honour at the passing out parade
which has earlier been widely publicized.
Continuing it said, “The troops responsible for the safety and
security of the Chief of Army Staff on hearing explosion and firing were
left with no choice than to defend him and the convoy at all cost as
well as open up the barricaded road for law abiding citizens.
“This is in line with the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated from any individual or groups and should not be allowed to repeat itself.
“We wish to implore all Nigerians to continue to be law abiding and
remain conscious of other people’s right to life, freedom of movement
and passage.
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