Army Petitions NHRC Over Attack on COAS

The Nigerian Army has insisted that the Shiite elements who blocked a road in Zaria, Kaduna State attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Saturday, December 12, 2015, this led to military action against the sect. Making this known on Tuesday, Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman revealed that the two-page petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which was initiated by the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adamu Abubakar, shows that military personnel on the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff responded to gunshots fired at their convoy by members of the sect in order to provide a safe corridor for the Army Chief and his convoy. “The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, who received the petition on behalf of the Commission promised to investigate the alleged attack in order to prevent a recurrence,” Col. Usman reported.In an earlier statement, Usman described the fatal shooting incident as “most unfortunate.” “Saturday’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 a result of the Shiite group members blocking roads and not allowing other passers-by to go about their lawful businesses and activities, was most unfortunate. “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 right of way on public highways. It is important to note that over the years, this 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. This cannot be tolerated and must stop! “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. In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police.”