Military condoles Zakzaky over sons’ deaths
Nigerian military authorities have expressed “deep” condolences to Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakazky, the leader of the Shi’a movement in Nigeria, over the deaths of three of his sons in an operation on July 25.
This is the first time the military is speaking in this tone since the clashes which claimed the lives of over 20 people.
Members of the movement were demonstrating over the Gaza conflict when the incident occurred.
Members of the sect said they were on a peaceful march, but military authorities said someone shot at the soldiers who returned fire in return.
In a statement posted in its website on Friday, defence headquarters said another investigation was being conducted to further ascertain what went wrong.
The statement read: “The need to calm the situation in Zaria city after the recent encounter between soldiers on routine patrol and members of Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria last Friday informed the initial taciturn posture of the Defence Headquarters on the issue. While not underplaying the significance of such incident, it was also necessary to ensure that sufficient information was obtained beginning from the unit level and other reliable sources at the location.
“A preliminary investigation was therefore initiated to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. An enquiry is subsequently ongoing at the Divisional level.
“Although the report of the preliminary investigation at the unit level has vehemently contradicted some of the issues raised by the leader of the group, in his statement, especially on the allegation of extra judicial killings, the higher Headquarters is conducting additional investigation on the incident to ascertain the claims in the preliminary reports from the unit level. In spite of the preliminary findings, the importance placed on the respect for Human Rights in all military operations, activities and interactions, has prompted the additional steps presently being taken to ascertain the true situation.
“Accordingly, the higher level of military enquiry is with a view to unmasking the remote and immediate causes of the incident and to identify anyone found culpable. Meanwhile, those apprehended during the incident are being interrogated.
“The Defence Headquarters deeply commiserates with the families of those that lost their lives in that unfortunate incident, especially the leader of the group who was reported to have lost his sons. Indeed, his present disposition is understandable as it is pathetic. No effort will be spared to ensure necessary justice on this matter.”
Nigeria Army lost it face in the eyes of every1, they are same as BH killing human beings like animals. These are the people paid wiTh our money to protect us but instead killing every1 at their wish. I prefere BH than Nigeria army. God protect us.
You prefer Boko Haram to the Nigerian Army? May you get your wish in full my fellow countryman. Let Boko Baram reign in Northern Nigeria and May the Army never intervene .
They enjoy sucking innocent blood if not why dont they go and face Boko Haram in Dambua since ur guns are full of bullets. The shi’it too should be reasonable in all what they are doing. Why would they be blocking people’s roads in the name of religious rally.
Haba Deedat you think to protest once in a while on something as important as the gruesome killing of human beings going on in Gaza now is Un reasonable? Do you have a conscience at all? The Prophet said he who does not show concern about the plight of fellow Muslims is not among them. If we do not join what these courageous people we call shi’ites just castigate them, I think we should commend them for representing our conscience, or just leave them a lone. Besides I’ve seen these people on their protests, they always try to follow the express ways where there are two lanes, they follow one lane and leave the other for the public. They also have high level of control. Even if they take a whole road section, how many minutes would it take? not more than 30 minutes and everything is back to normal. If one is in a hurry, he or she could take any of the ulternative routes available.
To my mind if The Boko Haram had imbibed the culture of peaceful protest, they would not have resorted to the use arms to achieve their aims.
Why dont you protest against the killing of your own people by Boko Haram in Nigeria? Why do Northern Nigerian Moslems always cry more than the bereaved. There were no demonstrations in Egypt, Tunisia and Sudan, wholly Moslem countries, but in Nigeria Hausa/Fulanis are demonstrating and killing people because of Gaza conflict, which does not concern them.
They don’t demonstrate against Abubakar Shakhau and his Gang of murderers and rapists. There is something really wrong with the psyche of the Northern Nigerian Moslems. You people need Gods help to get it right. If Boko Haram was not devasting you people now, you would have been killing non- Moslems in your areas because Israelis are killing Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile Palestinians never rioted because you people are being killed in Nigeria.