ON THE CLASH BETWEEN THE ARMY AND
SHIITES: Text of State broadcast by Malam
Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State,
on the recent security issues in Zaria; 17
December 2015.
Dear People of Kaduna State,
We have witnessed sad events in Zaria and
a part of Kaduna metropolis over the last
few days. As your Governor, it is my duty to
address you on the incidents, and explain
the events that preceded the tragedy of last
weekend. We shall also outline how we
intend to prevent a recurrence.
As you are aware, military operations have
taken place in Zaria between Saturday, 12
December and Monday, 14 December 2015.
There have been tragic consequences and
needless loss of lives, and we extend our
condolences to the families that have been
affected. In this sombre moment, we have
also directed that steps be taken to address
the humanitarian fallouts of the operations.
The State Government is carrying out after
action review of the theatre of operations
with a view to compensating those whose
vehicles, real property and other assets
were damaged as a result.
The Kaduna State Government has been
informed that on Saturday, 12 December
2015, the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff,
Lt. General Tukur Buratai, reported an
ambush and attempted assassination at a
roadblock mounted by members of Sheikh
Ibrahim El-Zakzaky's Islamic Movement of
Nigeria. Clashes broke out as soldiers
mounted operations to repel the attack,
remove the obstruction to a major public
highway, and to contain and arrest the
perpetrators. When the security agencies
sent reports of the clash to me a little after
3pm on that day, I initiated steps that I
thought could calm the situation. I called
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on the phone to
get his side of the story, and thereafter
visited Zaria for on-the-spot briefing and
assessment and visited the Chief of Army
Staff.
The army and the police have since
addressed the press on the security
operations and the aftermath. We have also
seen video clips aired on national television
and online to show the extent to which the
Nigerian Army tried to reason with the
persons that were intent on obstructing a
public highway without any justification.
The avoidable weekend tragedy in Zaria has
a background based on information
available to the Kaduna State Government.
What the Kaduna State Government has
learnt
Based on reports from government organs
and security agencies, we have learnt the
following:
• There had been tension in parts of Zaria
since Thursday, 10 December 2015, when
members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria were alleged to have attacked
Gabari, a community on the outskirts of
Zaria, in continuation of a dispute over a
mosque. Like the previous attack, this
second assault on Gabari also took three
lives. The alleged bone of contention was
that the El-Zakzaky movement wanted to
take over a mosque they did not build in
Gabari. The mosque had been sealed by the
authorities following the collapse of the
arrangements that had enabled various
sects to amicably share its usage.
• In the last two weeks, the Islamic
Movement of Nigeria has also illegally
occupied federal roads. Over a period of
four days, they took over one side of the
federal expressway between Kaduna and
Zaria, and the roads to Kano and Katsina.
They entered schools along these routes,
using them as rest and recreation points
without notice or permission or any
concern about the disruption of academic
activities.
• The Husainiyah building, the headquarters
of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, was put
up without statutory title to the land, and in
outright defiance of a stop-work notice
issued by KASUPDA in 2010. When
KASUPDA followed up with a demolition
notice in the same year, the then authorities
chose to look the other way, and allowed
the sect to complete a building that had
neither title nor planning approval, and
which the appropriate agency had
determined was in violation of planning
and development regulations.
• The successful completion of this illegal
building on a major road subsequently led
to a pattern of inconveniences being
inflicted on members of the general public.
There were various reports and complaints
that the sect was harassing members of the
public, and inflicting hardship on
commuters. At their headquarters and in
other areas where Zakzaky’s movement had
structures, they had tried to forcibly
acquire the property of their neighbours;
this is apart from subjecting residents to an
illegal curfew.
• Government also received reports that the
Islamic Movement of Nigeria acted like a
parallel state, with total disdain for the
formal structures of the Nigerian
government and little regard for the rights
of non-members. Whenever community,
traditional or political leaders invite the
sect to dispute resolution meetings, they
often declined the invitations. In addition,
members of the movement are alleged to
openly carry and use offensive weapons.
• Following the Zaria incident, Shiite
members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria have tried to upset the peace in
parts of Kaduna. The security forces have
responded firmly to the situation in the
Tudun Wada area of Kaduna Metropolis.
Violent actions by sect members on
Tuesday, 15 December 2016, included the
use of Molotov cocktails and petrol bombs
against the security forces.
Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be
established
As the security operations in Zaria are
wound-down, the Kaduna State
Government is persuaded that it is vital, for
reasons of accountability and transparency,
that a factual and authoritative account of
the events be painstakingly assembled. The
Kaduna State Government has therefore
decided that under the powers conferred on
me by the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, a
Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be
established to examine the remote and
immediate causes of the Zaria incident. This
inquiry will be open and will enable all
allegations and claims to be tested with
judicial rigour. The government will act
promptly on the conclusions of the inquiry,
and forward recommendations requiring
action by the Federal Government to Mr.
President. Details of the composition and
terms of reference of the judicial
commission of inquiry would be made
public within the next two weeks.
Commitment to security and constitutional
rights
In the meantime, Government reiterates
that it cannot permit an escalation of
lawlessness. Therefore, civil security
patrols, supported by the military when
necessary, will continue to enable the state
to maintain order, reassure residents and
keep the peace. Our government continues
to invest heavily in security as a foundation
for the successful execution of our economic
and social agenda to develop Kaduna State.
Fellow citizens, Kaduna State has witnessed
too many upheavals in its recent history.
These tragedies have taken too many lives,
maimed people, destroyed communities and
hurt development. We all should jointly say
no to actions that divide people, reject
conduct that ignores or violates the legal
and constitutional rights of others and
oppose practices that contest the
prerogatives of state institutions to
safeguard and protect every citizen.
Everyone has a fundamental right to their
faiths and beliefs, but no one has any right
to practise their faith in ways that
diminish, distress or inconvenience others.
And no one can be allowed to justify
unlawful and anti-social behaviour on the
grounds of religion. Only conduct that
conforms to the Constitution and the laws
of the country is valid, and it is the duty of
the state to vigorously enforce that. No
responsible leader or institution should
teach their followers differently.
Henceforth, no person or group, under any
guise will be allowed to block any road,
obstruct public highways, occupy public
facilities or inconvenience citizens in
Kaduna State. Anybody that needs to march
may do so, but they cannot take over public
facilities or disrupt social services and
commercial activities in Kaduna State, and
any march or procession can be undertaken
only with the prior knowledge of, and
protection of the police to prevent the
breakdown of law and order.
The Government wishes to assure every
resident of Kaduna State that it is
committed to fostering harmony,
maintaining law and order and keeping the
peace. Our Constitution rightly protects the
freedom of worship, as well as the right to
liberty, security and the pursuit of
happiness. Everyone is entitled to these
rights equally. We swore to uphold the
Constitution, and our commitment to these
values is unwavering. We will similarly
protect these rights evenly.
We urge all citizens to be vigilant as they go
about their normal activities, and to report
any suspicions or concerns to the
appropriate authorities. Let us all redouble
our commitment to sustaining the peace,
and to uphold each other in our God-given
humanity.
While the crisis raged, the Kaduna State
Government visited Zaria, and issued
appeals for calm and peace. We have taken
our time to make this formal broadcast due
to the imperative to gather as much
information as possible amidst the welter of
conflicting claims, the urgency of restoring
peace and the need to consult with the
federal authorities.
God bless Kaduna State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
May the souls of the departed find peace
May the Almighty God Restore and Preserve
Peace throughout our state and country,
Amen.
SHIITES: Text of State broadcast by Malam
Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State,
on the recent security issues in Zaria; 17
December 2015.
Dear People of Kaduna State,
We have witnessed sad events in Zaria and
a part of Kaduna metropolis over the last
few days. As your Governor, it is my duty to
address you on the incidents, and explain
the events that preceded the tragedy of last
weekend. We shall also outline how we
intend to prevent a recurrence.
As you are aware, military operations have
taken place in Zaria between Saturday, 12
December and Monday, 14 December 2015.
There have been tragic consequences and
needless loss of lives, and we extend our
condolences to the families that have been
affected. In this sombre moment, we have
also directed that steps be taken to address
the humanitarian fallouts of the operations.
The State Government is carrying out after
action review of the theatre of operations
with a view to compensating those whose
vehicles, real property and other assets
were damaged as a result.
The Kaduna State Government has been
informed that on Saturday, 12 December
2015, the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff,
Lt. General Tukur Buratai, reported an
ambush and attempted assassination at a
roadblock mounted by members of Sheikh
Ibrahim El-Zakzaky's Islamic Movement of
Nigeria. Clashes broke out as soldiers
mounted operations to repel the attack,
remove the obstruction to a major public
highway, and to contain and arrest the
perpetrators. When the security agencies
sent reports of the clash to me a little after
3pm on that day, I initiated steps that I
thought could calm the situation. I called
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on the phone to
get his side of the story, and thereafter
visited Zaria for on-the-spot briefing and
assessment and visited the Chief of Army
Staff.
The army and the police have since
addressed the press on the security
operations and the aftermath. We have also
seen video clips aired on national television
and online to show the extent to which the
Nigerian Army tried to reason with the
persons that were intent on obstructing a
public highway without any justification.
The avoidable weekend tragedy in Zaria has
a background based on information
available to the Kaduna State Government.
What the Kaduna State Government has
learnt
Based on reports from government organs
and security agencies, we have learnt the
following:
• There had been tension in parts of Zaria
since Thursday, 10 December 2015, when
members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria were alleged to have attacked
Gabari, a community on the outskirts of
Zaria, in continuation of a dispute over a
mosque. Like the previous attack, this
second assault on Gabari also took three
lives. The alleged bone of contention was
that the El-Zakzaky movement wanted to
take over a mosque they did not build in
Gabari. The mosque had been sealed by the
authorities following the collapse of the
arrangements that had enabled various
sects to amicably share its usage.
• In the last two weeks, the Islamic
Movement of Nigeria has also illegally
occupied federal roads. Over a period of
four days, they took over one side of the
federal expressway between Kaduna and
Zaria, and the roads to Kano and Katsina.
They entered schools along these routes,
using them as rest and recreation points
without notice or permission or any
concern about the disruption of academic
activities.
• The Husainiyah building, the headquarters
of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, was put
up without statutory title to the land, and in
outright defiance of a stop-work notice
issued by KASUPDA in 2010. When
KASUPDA followed up with a demolition
notice in the same year, the then authorities
chose to look the other way, and allowed
the sect to complete a building that had
neither title nor planning approval, and
which the appropriate agency had
determined was in violation of planning
and development regulations.
• The successful completion of this illegal
building on a major road subsequently led
to a pattern of inconveniences being
inflicted on members of the general public.
There were various reports and complaints
that the sect was harassing members of the
public, and inflicting hardship on
commuters. At their headquarters and in
other areas where Zakzaky’s movement had
structures, they had tried to forcibly
acquire the property of their neighbours;
this is apart from subjecting residents to an
illegal curfew.
• Government also received reports that the
Islamic Movement of Nigeria acted like a
parallel state, with total disdain for the
formal structures of the Nigerian
government and little regard for the rights
of non-members. Whenever community,
traditional or political leaders invite the
sect to dispute resolution meetings, they
often declined the invitations. In addition,
members of the movement are alleged to
openly carry and use offensive weapons.
• Following the Zaria incident, Shiite
members of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria have tried to upset the peace in
parts of Kaduna. The security forces have
responded firmly to the situation in the
Tudun Wada area of Kaduna Metropolis.
Violent actions by sect members on
Tuesday, 15 December 2016, included the
use of Molotov cocktails and petrol bombs
against the security forces.
Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be
established
As the security operations in Zaria are
wound-down, the Kaduna State
Government is persuaded that it is vital, for
reasons of accountability and transparency,
that a factual and authoritative account of
the events be painstakingly assembled. The
Kaduna State Government has therefore
decided that under the powers conferred on
me by the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, a
Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be
established to examine the remote and
immediate causes of the Zaria incident. This
inquiry will be open and will enable all
allegations and claims to be tested with
judicial rigour. The government will act
promptly on the conclusions of the inquiry,
and forward recommendations requiring
action by the Federal Government to Mr.
President. Details of the composition and
terms of reference of the judicial
commission of inquiry would be made
public within the next two weeks.
Commitment to security and constitutional
rights
In the meantime, Government reiterates
that it cannot permit an escalation of
lawlessness. Therefore, civil security
patrols, supported by the military when
necessary, will continue to enable the state
to maintain order, reassure residents and
keep the peace. Our government continues
to invest heavily in security as a foundation
for the successful execution of our economic
and social agenda to develop Kaduna State.
Fellow citizens, Kaduna State has witnessed
too many upheavals in its recent history.
These tragedies have taken too many lives,
maimed people, destroyed communities and
hurt development. We all should jointly say
no to actions that divide people, reject
conduct that ignores or violates the legal
and constitutional rights of others and
oppose practices that contest the
prerogatives of state institutions to
safeguard and protect every citizen.
Everyone has a fundamental right to their
faiths and beliefs, but no one has any right
to practise their faith in ways that
diminish, distress or inconvenience others.
And no one can be allowed to justify
unlawful and anti-social behaviour on the
grounds of religion. Only conduct that
conforms to the Constitution and the laws
of the country is valid, and it is the duty of
the state to vigorously enforce that. No
responsible leader or institution should
teach their followers differently.
Henceforth, no person or group, under any
guise will be allowed to block any road,
obstruct public highways, occupy public
facilities or inconvenience citizens in
Kaduna State. Anybody that needs to march
may do so, but they cannot take over public
facilities or disrupt social services and
commercial activities in Kaduna State, and
any march or procession can be undertaken
only with the prior knowledge of, and
protection of the police to prevent the
breakdown of law and order.
The Government wishes to assure every
resident of Kaduna State that it is
committed to fostering harmony,
maintaining law and order and keeping the
peace. Our Constitution rightly protects the
freedom of worship, as well as the right to
liberty, security and the pursuit of
happiness. Everyone is entitled to these
rights equally. We swore to uphold the
Constitution, and our commitment to these
values is unwavering. We will similarly
protect these rights evenly.
We urge all citizens to be vigilant as they go
about their normal activities, and to report
any suspicions or concerns to the
appropriate authorities. Let us all redouble
our commitment to sustaining the peace,
and to uphold each other in our God-given
humanity.
While the crisis raged, the Kaduna State
Government visited Zaria, and issued
appeals for calm and peace. We have taken
our time to make this formal broadcast due
to the imperative to gather as much
information as possible amidst the welter of
conflicting claims, the urgency of restoring
peace and the need to consult with the
federal authorities.
God bless Kaduna State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
May the souls of the departed find peace
May the Almighty God Restore and Preserve
Peace throughout our state and country,
Amen.
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