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, the Nigerian Army has affirmed.
This was just as it also described yesterday’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 most unfortunate.
The military in a statement by its spokesperson, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman stated it was as a result of the Shiite group members’ blocking roads and not allowing other passers-by to go about their lawful businesses and activities.
As stated by the statement, 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 also noted that over the years the 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 adding that it cannot be tolerated and must stop.
Meanwhile, the leader of group, El Zak-Zaky was today arrested by the military after laying siege to his residence in Zaria