President of the Human Rights on Non-Violent
Initiative, a Civil Society Organisation,
Muhammad Idris has accused the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ite of
being the source of Boko Haram in the country.
The Nigerian Army has come under scrutiny for
what is described as violation of human rights in
the role it played to contain the recent clash
with Shi’ite members in Zaria where another CSO
has advocated that the Chief of Army Staff
vacate his office pending the determination of
investigation into the matter.
Speaking Thursday however in Kaduna when he
led members of his group on a solidarity visit to
the General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanized
Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi
Oyebade Kaduna commended the Nigerian Army
for its role in the recent clash between the Army
and Shiite.
He said the Nigerian Military is the only
remaining tool to defend democracy, peace and
unity of the country.
“Boko Haram started by the Shi’ite group in
1997, the Shi’ite group is the source of Boko
Haram if you go back in history, it is
documented, some of them fled to Maidiguri,
hide somewhere and regrouped where they later
became a terror, fighting government and killing
both civilians and military, destroying property
and raping innocent women.
“I as an indigene of Borno state from the town
of Maidiguri can say that, the change we have
seen in our area with the coming of the present
administration is more than 100 per cent and the
Nigerian Army deserves a Diamond medal, if a
terrorist group that started in 2009 as
documented
“What happened in Zaria, Kaduna state, is a
proven testimony that the military has the
adequate intelligence and more informations a,
bout happenings in the country. Any group who
does what the Shi’ite did is not threading the
part to peace and progress of this country.
“We as Nigerians, are under one constitution, the
Shi’ite group were trying to create violence when
they attcked the convoy of the COAS and we
appreciate the quick action taken by the Nigerian
Army and pray that the group is brought under
control because we believe our country is now
on focus.
“We support and throw our weight behind the
military authority on any action they decide to
take against the Shi’ite or another other group
aiming to bridge the peace and unity in the
country.
“Before Lieutenant General Tukur Buruti came,
Boko Haram were everywhere, if you are a
father, you are afraid for your daughter, a
husband will see his wife being taken away by
members of Boko Haram but has no right to stop
them for fear of his life, but with the coming of
the present administration, Boko Haram is
gradually become past tense and are winning the
war against terrorism,” he said.
He noted that the initiative will ensure it gives
the general public adequate awareness on the
issue with a view to changing the way the army
is being misunderstood.
On his part, the GOC, Major General Adeniyi
Oyebade opened up on the clash saying he lost a
soldier during the incident.
“My soldier was killed in the attack and many
others were injured who are presently receiving
treatment in the hospital. During the Cordon and
Search operation carried out in the residence of
El-Zakzaky and two other strong holds of the
Shi’ite, we tried to get in touch with Zakzaky to
stop his members from attacking us, but some
people who answered my call, refused to let us
talk to him.
“We took actions according to the rules of
engagement as soldiers were being attacked by
the Militant Wing of the sect known as the
Hurra’s.
“We know what it means to preserve life
because the life of a human being is sacrosanct,
but we have paid the supreme price to secure
this country.”
He noted that after the cordon and search
operations, residents of Zaria came out in their
hundreds chanting and praying for the army
which they said has released them from bondage
they have been in for many years.
He urged Nigerians pointing accusing fingers on
the Nigerian Army to go to Zaria if they want to
know what happened there.
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