TheCable

The Nigerian army says it does not owe the Shi’ia sect any apology over the clash involving it and members of the sect.

The military applied the rules of engagement on followers of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the group, in Kaduna on December 12, following the barricade on the road at a time Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, was passing.

Subsequently, the headquarters of the sect was destroyed, while Zakzaky was arrested.

The sect has been demanding for the immediate release of its leader, accusing the military of human rights abuse, including rape.

But addressing journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, Adeniyi Oyebade, general officer commanding, (GOC) 1 mechanized division of the Nigerian army, said the military “cannot fold its arms and watch any group or sect threaten the peace and stability of the country”.

“They are like any other sect in the land, but as long as they obey the law of the land no problem, but if any group chooses to challenge the authority of the land, it means they do not value the sanctity of life and the constitution of Nigeria,” he said.

“Army has paid heavily with the blood of its officers and men to protect this country, and so we have no apology to any group, either Shiites Islamic sect, Christian sect, even pagan sect that is threatening the peace of the country.

“We don’t have any issue with the Shiites or any sect at all in the land as long as they obey the law of the land. But if any group tends to challenge the constituted authority of the land, it means that such group does not respect the constitution of the land.

“Even in the military, we have Shiites members, but there is no issue with them because they are law abiding citizens.

“But we have issues with those who create a state within a state, and our rules of engagement are very clear, that is, when there is threat to a constituted authority, it must be arrested before it goes full blown.

“We know the business of violence but we apply it professionally if the peace of the land is being threatened, so we are appealing to Nigerians who are bent on causing violence stay off.

“We want to re assure the members of the north-west zone that the army will do everything possible as mandated by the constitution of Nigeria to protect our people and to enable the people go about their activities without molestation.”