SAN FRANCISCO, December 22, (THEWILL) – The recent clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shi’ites Muslim sect in Zaria, Kaduna State, has heightened tension in the polity and could further compound the security challenges in the country if not properly handled.
Though unlike Boko Haram, the Shi’ites were said to have been on a peaceful procession on the highway during which they mounted a blockade, which obstructed the convoy of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai.
Despite all appeals by the military, the Shi’ites were said to have refused to remove the blockade to allow the COAS pass.
The shootings that followed however led to the death of at least 20 people, including the second-in- command to the Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zak-Zaky, whose wife and son were also said to have allegedly died during the shootings.
In its defense, the Army explained that it applied minimum force when it became obvious that the Shi’ites were out to ‘assassinate’ Buratai. Laudable as the explanation may sound, some have argued that the action amounted to extrajudicial killings, especially as there were neither report of casualties on the Army’s side, nor was any of the Shi’ite members arrested with arms.
Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, affirmed that the Shi’ites were on a peaceful procession but without consideration for the right of way of others. This may be logical on the surface but applying the maximum force was a violation of their rights to peaceful protest. If the Shi’ites’ claim that they were unarmed is true, then the resultant killings and maiming could be described as killing a fly with a sledge hammer. Although the Army spokesman described the clash as “most unfortunate,” he insisted that it was ignited by the Shi’ites.
THEWILL strongly condemns the action of the military, which took the battle further to the home of the Shi’ite leader, where shrines and property were allegedly burnt. The question that arises is: When has the killing of women and children become acceptable in military engagements? The Federal Government must get to the root of the dispute, especially with the international dimension it has attracted from Iran, home of the Shi’ites.
President Hassan Rouhani has warned against allowing minor disputes to escalate into big religious differences.
If appropriate punishment is not administered, the revolutionary tendencies of the Shi’ites, Hezbollah and Sunnis currently rocking the Middle East could unconsciously be imported into Nigeria.
THEWILL’s position is that no stone should be left unturned in the course of the probe of the matter. Dialogue remains the best option under the circumstance. We do not want a replication of the Boko Haram phenomenon or any pseudo cult activities under the guise of any religion or tradition.
We recall that the Boko Haram spread into other parts of the north following the assassination of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, by the Armed Forces in 2009. It is against this background that we canvass that the dispute be resolved amicably in the interest of the larger Nigerian project.
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