ON THE CLASH BETWEEN THE ARMY AND SHIITES:
Text of State broadcast by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, on the recent security issues in Zaria; 17 December 2015.

Dear People of Kaduna State,
We have witnessed sad events in Zaria and a part of Kaduna
metropolis over the last few days. As your Governor, it is my duty
to address you on the incidents, and explain the events that
preceded the tragedy of last weekend. We shall also outline how we
intend to prevent a recurrence.
As you are aware, military operations have taken place in Zaria
between Saturday, 12 December and Monday, 14 December 2015.
There have been tragic consequences and needless loss of lives, and
we extend our condolences to the families that have been affected.
In this sombre moment, we have also directed that steps be taken
to address the humanitarian fallouts of the operations. The State
Government is carrying out after action review of the theatre of
operations with a view to compensating those whose vehicles, real
property and other assets were damaged as a result.

The Kaduna State Government has been informed that on
Saturday, 12 December 2015, the convoy of the Chief of Army
Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, reported an ambush and
attempted assassination at a roadblock mounted by members of
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky's Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
Clashes broke out as soldiers mounted operations to repel the
attack, remove the obstruction to a major public highway, and to
contain and arrest the perpetrators. When the security agencies
sent reports of the clash to me a little after 3pm on that day, I
initiated steps that I thought could calm the situation. I called
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on the phone to get his side of the
story, and thereafter visited Zaria for on-the-spot briefing and
assessment and visited the Chief of Army Staff.

The army and the police have since addressed the press on the
security operations and the aftermath. We have also seen video
clips aired on national television and online to show the extent to
which the Nigerian Army tried to reason with the persons that
were intent on obstructing a public highway without any
justification. The avoidable weekend tragedy in Zaria has a
background based on information available to the Kaduna State
Government.
What the Kaduna State Government has learnt Based on reports
from government organs and security agencies, we have learnt the
following:

[b] • There had been tension in parts of Zaria since Thursday, 10
December 2015, when members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria were alleged to have attacked Gabari, a community on the
outskirts of Zaria, in continuation of a dispute over a mosque. Like
the previous attack, this second assault on Gabari also took three
lives. The alleged bone of contention was that the El-Zakzaky
movement wanted to take over a mosque they did not build in
Gabari. The mosque had been sealed by the authorities following
the collapse of the arrangements that had enabled various sects to
amicably share its usage.

• In the last two weeks, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has also
illegally occupied federal roads. Over a period of four days, they
took over one side of the federal expressway between Kaduna and
Zaria, and the roads to Kano and Katsina. They entered schools
along these routes, using them as rest and recreation points
without notice or permission or any concern about the disruption of
academic activities.

• The Husainiyah building, the headquarters of the Islamic
Movement of Nigeria, was put up without statutory title to the
land, and in outright defiance of a stop-work notice issued by
KASUPDA in 2010. When KASUPDA followed up with a
demolition notice in the same year, the then authorities chose to
look the other way, and allowed the sect to complete a building that
had neither title nor planning approval, and which the appropriate
agency had determined was in violation of planning and
development regulations.

• The successful completion of this illegal building on a major road
subsequently led to a pattern of inconveniences being inflicted on
members of the general public. There were various reports and
complaints that the sect was harassing members of the public, and
inflicting hardship on commuters. At their headquarters and in
other areas where Zakzaky’s movement had structures, they had
tried to forcibly acquire the property of their neighbours; this is
apart from subjecting residents to an illegal curfew.

• Government also received reports that the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria acted like a parallel state, with total disdain for the formal
structures of the Nigerian government and little regard for the
rights of non-members. Whenever community, traditional or
political leaders invite the sect to dispute resolution meetings, they
often declined the invitations. In addition, members of the
movement are alleged to openly carry and use offensive weapons.

• Following the Zaria incident, Shiite members of the Islamic
Movement of Nigeria have tried to upset the peace in parts of
Kaduna. The security forces have responded firmly to the situation
in the Tudun Wada area of Kaduna Metropolis. Violent actions by
sect members on Tuesday, 15 December 2016, included the use of
Molotov cocktails and petrol bombs against the security forces.
Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be established
As the security operations in Zaria are wound-down, the Kaduna
State Government is persuaded that it is vital, for reasons of
accountability and transparency, that a factual and authoritative
account of the events be painstakingly assembled. The Kaduna
State Government has therefore decided that under the powers
conferred on me by the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, a Judicial
Commission of Inquiry will be established to examine the remote
and immediate causes of the Zaria incident. This inquiry will be
open and will enable all allegations and claims to be tested with
judicial rigour. The government will act promptly on the
conclusions of the inquiry, and forward recommendations requiring
action by the Federal Government to Mr. President. Details of the
composition and terms of reference of the judicial commission of
inquiry would be made public within the next two weeks.
Commitment to security and constitutional rights.
In the meantime, Government reiterates that it cannot permit an
escalation of lawlessness. Therefore, civil security patrols, supported
by the military when necessary, will continue to enable the state to
maintain order, reassure residents and keep the peace. Our
government continues to invest heavily in security as a foundation
for the successful execution of our economic and social agenda to
develop Kaduna State.[/b]

Fellow citizens, Kaduna State has witnessed too many upheavals in
its recent history. These tragedies have taken too many lives,
maimed people, destroyed communities and hurt development. We
all should jointly say no to actions that divide people, reject conduct
that ignores or violates the legal and constitutional rights of others
and oppose practices that contest the prerogatives of state
institutions to safeguard and protect every citizen.
Everyone has a fundamental right to their faiths and beliefs, but no
one has any right to practise their faith in ways that diminish,
distress or inconvenience others. And no one can be allowed to
justify unlawful and anti-social behaviour on the grounds of
religion. Only conduct that conforms to the Constitution and the
laws of the country is valid, and it is the duty of the state to
vigorously enforce that. No responsible leader or institution should
teach their followers differently.

Henceforth, no person or group, under any guise will be allowed to
block any road, obstruct public highways, occupy public facilities or
inconvenience citizens in Kaduna State. Anybody that needs to
march may do so, but they cannot take over public facilities or
disrupt social services and commercial activities in Kaduna State,
and any march or procession can be undertaken only with the prior
knowledge of, and protection of the police to prevent the
breakdown of law and order.

The Government wishes to assure every resident of Kaduna State
that it is committed to fostering harmony, maintaining law and
order and keeping the peace. Our Constitution rightly protects the
freedom of worship, as well as the right to liberty, security and the
pursuit of happiness. Everyone is entitled to these rights equally.
We swore to uphold the Constitution, and our commitment to these
values is unwavering. We will similarly protect these rights evenly.
We urge all citizens to be vigilant as they go about their normal
activities, and to report any suspicions or concerns to the
appropriate authorities. Let us all redouble our commitment to
sustaining the peace, and to uphold each other in our God-given
humanity.

While the crisis raged, the Kaduna State Government visited
Zaria, and issued appeals for calm and peace. We have taken our
time to make this formal broadcast due to the imperative to gather
as much information as possible amidst the welter of conflicting
claims, the urgency of restoring peace and the need to consult with
the federal authorities.
God bless Kaduna State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
May the souls of the departed find peace
May the Almighty God Restore and Preserve Peace throughout our
state and country, Amen.

Cc:lalasticala pls move to d front page