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The Nigerian army has said it has no apology for its recent clashes with members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria on December 12-13, 2015 in Kaduna state.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Adeniyi Oyebade, said that the military can’t watch any group threaten the peace and stability of Nigeria.
He addressed the journalists at the headquarters of the division in Kaduna on January 6.
Oyebade stated that the army has no problems with the Shi’ites, adding that “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.”
“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 creates 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,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Oyebade restated that the military remains the guidance of democracy, but added that, an attempt to kill the Chief of the nation’s Army is similar to an attempt on a sitting president.
Soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai clashed with Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky-led Shi’ites, who had reportedly blocked the road, denying the army chief thoroughfare.
Sheikh El-Zakzaky is now in police custody for questioning.
source: http://cheelrix..com.ng/2016/01/army-speaks-on-zaria-clashes.html