IT was dusk. The blistering afternoon sun had given way to a creeping cold weather. The dry and dusty day was gradually transforming into a moisture atmosphere. As motorists made their way home that evening, they cast a glance at the debris of the ruin that the operational headquarter of the religion sect had become.

Few weeks ago, the empty land stream with stones and broken blocks and pieces of flattened roofing sheet was the ‘sovereign’ territory of Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky, spiritual leader of the Shiite, also known as Islamic Movement of Nigeria. This is Huyssainyah, few minutes’ drive from the Depot, Nigerian Army, Zaria and a walking distance from the Police Area Command. Elsewhere in Gyaellsu, a nearby residential neighborhood, the expanse occupied by the sect leader and his followers had been leveled, leaving behind a wasteland, at least for now.



Buratai-El-zakzaky
Buratai-El-zakzaky
Penultimate Monday, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by its President Augustin Alegeh, SAN, secretary Afam Osigwe, publicity secretary, Gbolahan Gbadamosi, executive director, Mrs Ifueko Alufohai, and other senior bar members in the company of journalists drawn from print, electronic and on-line went on a one-day fact finding mission to Zaria.

Fact finding mission

Other lawyers on the mission included former NBA president Mr. Lanke Odogunya, Mr. Joe Gadzama SAN, former NBA general secretary Mr. Emeka Obegolu, immediate past attorney general of Ekiti state Mr. Wale Fapohunda and NBA branch chairmen from Kaduna and Katsina state among others. Precisely December 12, 2015, the Zaria-based Shiite members in their multitude had encountered the convoy of Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Burutai. The sect members, who had taken over the major road, had denied the convoy passage despite pleas by some senior military officers in the army chief entourage.

Tension: Tension mounted as reasoning failed to prevail. Soon, the charged atmosphere boiled over and the situation became unmanageable by both sides. By the time the miasma melted, scores of the sect members including two of Zakzaky’s children lay dead, they were killed by soldiers. Zakzaky was subsequently arrested, he has remained in detention. His enclaves in Hussainyah and Gyaellsu were pulled down by mortar and caterpillar.

It was against this background that the NBA undertook the fact finding mission. According to the NBA president, the essence of the visit was to find out what transpired between the military and the Islamic group on that fateful day and the fall-out. Before setting out for the assignment, the NBA team paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Zauzau, HRH Alhaji Shehu Idris, whose palace used to share a fence with the Shiite sect.

Speaking at the palace, Alegeh emphasized that the NBA had come with an open mind. His words, “as an association, we do not have any view on what transpired in Zaria, we have come to listen and leave. And what we have heard will provide an opportunity for us to write our report and make it available to our members and the public. The NBA is not a judicial panel. “

Traditional rulers’ support: In his response, the Emir of Zazzau, HRH Alhaji Shehu Idris, expressed his delight and that of his council of chiefs to receive the NBA president and his team, saying “in listening to the NBA president, we have learnt a lot and we assure you of our support and co-operation at all times”.

Democracy and the rule of law

He added that “Nigeria is enjoying democracy and the rule of law which would not have been possible without your participation. I assure you of the support of traditional rulers across the country and if there is anything you want us to do to further support you, don’t hesitate to call on us because we have great respect for members of the bar association.”

One of the chiefs, Alhaji Dalhet Musa Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of the palace on the sect activities fielded questions from journalists. Abubakar, who is the Tarkarfi Zauzau, has been a full time member of the Emirate Council of Chiefs since 1993. Before going into details, he called on NBA to educate Nigerians on their rights and duties in a democratic dispensation.

As he puts it, “people misunderstand their constitutional rights. I should know that where my rights interferes with another person’s, I lose my own right because the constitution has not given me the right to infringe on anyone’s right. So, it is basic that Nigerians should understand this.”

Addressing the issue of the Shiite group, he said, “it was being led by a certain Sheik in Kaduna and in 1986 something happened, and Sheik El-Zakzaky assumed the mantle of leadership. A citizen of Zaria, his (Zakzaky) family house, shares a fence with the palace to the right. For many years, the house which lays few meters away from the Emir’s palace became the sect’s operational base, while the royal father was able to manage and tolerate them. Sometimes, their activities were reported to the State Security Council.

This was the situation until the sect acquired a property in Gyaellsu, opposite the Kongo campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, and relocated.”He reviewed that residents who could not cope with the sect’s presence in the neighborhood moved elsewhere and sold their houses, while the only potential buyer was Zakzaky, no matter how high the asking price.

With their large number, their word became the law in the community and they imposed the code of conduct, operating like a potentate in the desert. “They determined when residents would go in and out of their houses under the guise of protecting them. They also decided non-residents who could go in and out of the area.” A former governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Muktar Ramadan Yero, who had gone to pay a condolence visit to a bereaved family friend, was denied entry to Gyaellsu by Zakzaky’s followers.

The last December confrontation with the Chief of Army Staff convoy was not an isolated occurrence. Sometime in 2014, the commandant, Depot Nigerian Army had a similar encounter with the group. He ordered his convoy to drive through the crowd. This led to a showdown. The Emir and his entourage also had a narrow escape on their way to the security meeting sometime ago. The palace spokesperson who stepped out of his car had his turban pushed off with an arrow poked on his head. An attempt was made to forcefully open the outer tank cover of the Emir’s car, with an intention to set it ablaze.

According to Abubakar, there were security reports on all incidents and they were reported to the police who appeared helpless. Surprisingly, Zakzaky reported the 2014 incident to the National Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International. At the Depot, Nigerian Army, the Commandant, Brigadier- General C.G. Musa, who said he has been in the saddle for six months, informed the NBA team that the General Officer Commanding 1st Division Kaduna would be in a better position to recount what happened.

Sovereignty of Nigeria

He, however, emphasized that nothing should detract from the sovereignty of Nigeria as a nation, adding that “the situation we have here is such that they (Shiite) seem to be above the law. What we do is to curtail their excesses whenever they exhibit them and we also try as much as possible not to have confrontation with them. When they have their rallies, they take over the road and nobody dared ask questions. A lot of people come here to report and we send the reports to the police.”

He stated that whenever Zakzaky was returning from his operational base in Hussainah to his residence at Gyaellsu, a distance of about five kilometers, the entire road would be blocked. According to Brig. Gen. Musa, the sect member would chase the police and the Federal Road Safety officials and take over the roads completely. He said they mounted check-points and imposed curfew in the neighborhood.

“The police was handicapped, they couldn’t do anything and nobody dared to go and arrest anybody, so it was like a parallel government within a system,” he added. Tackle the threat before it would metamorphose to another monster: Brig. Gen. Musa corroborated the allegation of forcing the governor to trek, adding that they once stopped the vice-president’s convoy. “That was how bad the situation was,” he stressed. The General advised that it is necessary to tackle the threat before it would metamorphose to another monster that would be difficult to tame.

At the Nigerian Police Area Command, the sing-song about the Shiite resonated with the same refrain. The Area Commander, M.D Sheu and Assistant Commissioner of Police confirmed everything the military said about the group. According to him: “Prior to that incident, we had many reported cases against the Shiite group, including cases of murder. The pictures and case file of people killed are here (brought out three pictures), we have forwarded them to the Inspector General of Police.”

The history of violence as far as the Shiite is concerned is a non-issue. They are violent and they preach violence. As a matter of fact, they don’t believe in the existence of a country called Nigeria. They are operating a state within a state and they apply their own laws,” said the area commander. He added that if any of their members is arrested, the station will be attacked in a bid to rescue the suspect. He described the situation as a sensitive issue that demands collective effort to address because of its religion undertone and freedom of worship which they claim.

Giving a background of how the sect was conceived, a member who identified himself as Abdulrahman Abubakar, Chairman of its Education Committee, addressed the NBA team. He said the aim and objective of the mission is “for us Muslims to live our lives according to the rules and regulations set by our creator in the universe, in line with the teachings of the holy Quran and the sayings of the Prophet”.

He explained that the movement started in the late 70’s when El-Zakzaky was a student. He said the movement was a response to communism, socialism and other “isms” which was the order of the day then and more importantly to show that Islam has something to present in form of an ideology, which he has been preaching with his followers.

Zakzaky, according to Abubakar, has suffered several persecutions in the course of preaching this ideology but he remains steadfast. He said their leader is independent minded and does not ask for favour unlike other Ulamas (Islamic scholars). Group does not preach violence: Abubakar pointed out that the group does not preach violence and it shows respect to fellow Muslims despite ideological differences. “We have good rapport and understanding with non-Muslim,” he added.

He emphasized that what is important to the group is not the differences with other religions but understanding of those differences, noting that many Christians have identified with the cause of the group which he described as the movement of peace.

Movement of peace

“We have principle of unity among Muslims and respect among people that differ from our faith. We try to accommodate one another, “Abubakar said. Another adherent of the movement, Dr. Abdullahi Danladi, an associate professor at the Ahmadu Bello University said the membership of the group is about five million across the country. He said the vigilante operation in Gyaellsu was put in place because of rampant cases of stealing and pilfering among residents.

He affirmed the Shiite faithful are peace loving and accommodating. “The Sheik shares pieces of meat to all neighbors both Muslim and Christian during festive periods and pastors do join us to celebrate on such occasions,” Danladi said. However, a resident of Gyaellsu, Danlad Musa, revealed that neighbors who reject the gesture would incur the sect’s wrath. As he puts it “they give us meat with one hand and take away our peace with the other hand.”

At the end of the submissions, the NBA president noted that there must be a solution to the problem which he said was avoidable if things were done differently. He restated that the incident having occurred several times in the past, the primary aim of the visit is to ensure it does not happen again.


SOURCE: http://nigeriabreakingnews.com.ng/shiite-army-clash-what-nba-fact-finding-revealed/

Serius

" failure to accept the meat will incur the Sheikh's wrath

Propaganda at its best.. They murdered them, what else..

The shiites better lick there wounds and reorganise themselves to move on with their lives.

Let them not expect any form of justice in their favour as this has never been the case in Nigeria.

All the committees would never come up with anything reasonable.

See long story.



In other words, what was done to them on that fateful day was pre-planned and ambush I lied for them to fall in.

The report would have concentrated on their activities for that day for it to make a little sense since the issue is between them and the state.

What did they do that day that warrant the massacre.

If some bad elements commits crime, would that warrant the state to move in on the whole congregation.

All the report as claim that was sent to the police on their activities, has police acted on any of them and if they did, what was the response.

We can't be deceived knowing fully well that the murderers of the Shiites are unrepentant and powerful too.

Shiites should just forget and move on.

If they want to state within the state, they should head to Iran and not Nigeria.

The shiites troubled trouble and when mister trouble troubled them, they are now blaming mr trouble for troubling trouble.

Yorubasgreat:
Propaganda at its best.. They murdered them, what else..

The shiites better lick there wounds and reorganise themselves to move on with their lives.

Let them not expect any form of justice in their favour as this has never been the case in Nigeria.

All the committees would never come up with anything reasonable.

See long story.



In other words, what was done to them on that fateful day was pre-planned and ambush I lied for them to fall in.

The report would have concentrated on their activities for that day for it to make a little sense since the issue is between them and the state.

What did they do that day that warrant the massacre.

If some bad elements commits crime, would that warrant the state to move in on the whole congregation.

All the report as claim that was sent to the police on their activities, has police acted on any of them and if they did, what was the response.

We can't be deceived knowing fully well that the murderers of the Shiites are unrepentant and powerful too.

Shiites should just forget and move on.

Truth can never be hidden. I have my own facts and evidences and already in touch with international bodies who are already first waiting for the governments official position before we hit em raw. they have no idea what's up.

Wetin happen don happen

chubhiee:

Truth can never be hidden. I have my own facts and evidences and already in touch with international bodies who are already first waiting for the governments official position before we hit em raw. they have no idea what's up.

Please whatever facts you have keep it safe and use it to shame them when they are through with lying to the world about what happens on that fateful day.

But remember to stay safe and also if you are a Shiite, advise your people that it's time to move on with their lives and help the bereaved to regain their strength.

It's no doubt Shiites are hated in that part of the world.
Even my mechanic couldn't explain why he himself hated the shiites here in Abuja. Only with lame excuses of what they are been thought about them in their various Mosques.

I was in tears for the Igbos until the Shia's incidence occurred.. That was when I knew their was no hope for the helpless in this country.

I always advise people, if you know your life is important to you, always stay away from the anger of the strong and mighty in our society as no law or no one shall protect you from their hammers.

Let's assume that they are the worst kind of people and deserve more than they got.. Has anyone asked the question of what the buildings and the graves of their already dead ones did as well..

Shia's are hated.. .dead or alive.. .sighs!! !

omowolewa:
Wetin happen don happen

Unfortunately, Yes I agree with you as long as this remains Nijeriya.. They will never get justice..

I advice they move on with their lives.

What I have come to understand in Nigeria is that when abnormality lingers on for a long time, it is presumed to be the norm. Addressing this abnormality usually necessitate the outpour of sympathy. In the first place, an abnormality is an abnormality.

Ok but I think the story above is too one sided.
My thoughts though

Yorubasgreat:



Please whatever facts you have keep it safe and use it to shame them when they are through with lying to the world about what happens on that fateful day.

But remember to stay safe and also if you are a Shiite, advise your people that it's time to move on with their lives and help the bereaved to regain their strength.

It not doubt Shiites are hated in that part of the world.
Even my mechanic couldn't explain why he himself hated the shiites here in Abuja. Only with lame excuses of what they are been thought about them in their various Mosques.

I was in tears for the Igbos until the Shia's incidence occurred.. That was when I knew their was no hope for the helpless in this country.

I always advise people, if you know your life is important to you, always stay away from the anger of the strong and mighty in our society as no law or no one shall protect you from their hammers.

Let's assume that they are the worst kind of people and deserve more than they got.. Has anyone asked the question of what the buildings and the graves of their already dead one did as well..

Shia's are hated.. .dead or alive.. .sighs!! !

I'm no Shiite. just a concerned citizen who abhors every form of injustice regardless of tribe or creed

The main guys that pulled the strings using burantai hands are Sanusi lamido Sanusi and elrufia. it was very personal from those men. Truth can't be hidden.

Boss13:
What I have come to understand in Nigeria is that when abnormality lingers on for a long time, it is presumed to be the norm. Addressing this abnormality usually necessitate the outpour of sympathy. In the first place, an abnormality is an abnormality.

Agreed, I am not saying that the Shiites are any better. All of us in this country has some attitude..but constituted authority has a lay down rule and should be guided by it at all time and not allow itself be dragged into ethnic, religious or any form of ethno-political bickering.

All the accusation now being poured on these people, can the authorities point out any member of the group legally in jail on charges bordering one of those reasons?

You said abnormality, is it proper for a constituted authority whom are charged to protecting people from different religious backgroungs allow themselves to be used in murdering them..

Do you think it's right to fight abnormality with abnormalities.

Why didn't the army try to make arrests on those strong heads.

Only ret.arded anarchists would fail to see that imn had violent tendencies and subversive nature of the group. My problem remains the continued detention without charge and the heavy handedness of the army.

Boss13:
What I have come to understand in Nigeria is that when abnormality lingers on for a long time, it is presumed to be the norm. Addressing this abnormality usually necessitate the outpour of sympathy. In the first place, an abnormality is an abnormality.

Welll said.
Some sympathized not out of genuine concern but because it serves as a good talking point to rubbish the government.

Saudi Arabia and Iran will soon turn Nigeria to their proxy war battle ground!

vedaxcool:
Only ret.arded anarchists would fail to see that imn had violent tendencies and subversive nature of the group. My problem remains the continued detention without charge and the heavy handedness of the army.

Now you yourself despite not totally condemning the atrocity committed by NA, have also pointed out one reason the shiites built a have wall around themselves in the first place.. and you still blame them..

The act of this "continue detention without charges and the heavy handedness of the army" as you so pointed out has a name; it is called INJUSTICE AND VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, use it from time to time it will help you strike a balance.

Boss13:
What I have come to understand in Nigeria is that when abnormality lingers on for a long time, it is presumed to be the norm. Addressing this abnormality usually necessitate the outpour of sympathy. In the first place, an abnormality is an abnormality.

Whatever u refer to as abnormality shouldn't be treated with brute force resulting into a massacre of civilians, even those in the worship center and houses who had no idea of a road block. They suffered because they share the same fate with others who blocked road. How many Christian churches and Sunni mosques block roads? Do we also treat their abnormalities with massacre?

vedaxcool:
Only ret.arded anarchists would fail to see that imn had violent tendencies and subversive nature of the group. My problem remains the continued detention without charge and the heavy handedness of the army.

Tendencies? So people are now killed based on their tendencies/intentions? Even God Almoghty doesn't punish people for having evil intentions. Have they killed anyone or any chicken in their 30 to 40 years of missionary work ?

Those accounts of "suffering" and what have you by Zaria residents are unserious. Aren't those the same so called Zaria residents (that is Sunni Muslims) whose youths were videos stealing from the corpses of the Shiites a day after the killings? Aren't those so called residents criminals?

vedaxcool:

Welll said.
Some sympathized not out of genuine concern but because it serves as a good talking point to rubbish the government.

The day you stop think that criticism is an attempt to rubbish government is the day Nigeria have move a step toward becoming that great we all wished for.

We must stand up renounce this types of acts and strongly too, in the most reasonable manner.

Just like you clap hard when they performed their duties, should equally be the same way you shout even harder when they misbehave.

PDP and APC are all in the game for 'change'if you don't know it.. The only difference is their perspective to approach..sink it broo!


No one is interested in rubbishing the govt, rather allowing them to feel our pulse, if not!!