Just recently, according to the official accounts of the military, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (also known as Shiites) reportedly blocked the route of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai’s motorcade on his way to the palace of the Emir of Zauzau, thus prompting a confrontation between the Army and the group. The army has consistently maintained that the group attacked with ‘crude weapons’ and fearing that the life of the army chief may have been in danger, lethal force was used to clear a route of escape for the army chief. It is quite unfortunate that the function of law of enforcement agency is to protect lives and properties, given in a sharp reminder, the clash in Zaria was similar events that triggered the rapid evolution of the Boko Haram insurgency which has left thousands dead and millions perpetually displaced.
Was the army chief’s life so-threatened to warrant the use of force? Was the military authority resisted? Were the Shiite peaceful and lawful in their gathering? Was the display of “lethal and dangerous weapon” lawful blocking government roads? Who permit the gathering? Were they threat to the rest of us? Were they persuaded (as less dangerous means) to make way for the military convoy? Were they willing to do so after much persuasion by the top military officers? If no reasonable answers could be provided to the above, no authority can exists within constituted authority. There can never be a dual king in a kingdom. What might have played out was a display of the Machiavellian maxim of the end justifying the means. Ak47 wielded by armed forces are not chewing sticks-It is used to consolidate the state.
Continue reading on... http://olalekanadigun.com/the-military-shiites-and-the-use-of-force-by-remi-otuneye/

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I don't have time to read your post, I'm too busy for it. But as for the shiite case, it was provoked. Well provoked.

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.

^^Even the state govt knows this sect was a threat to lives and properties of law abiding citizens. So, why are some iiidddiioootttss supporting the lawless sect?

Before Buhari becomes President, he traveled along Zaria Road to Daura and was attacked. Did he provoke the attack? Namadi Sambo, former VP was attacked many times in Zaria and his property burned. Did he provoke the attack? A fortnight ago, we read of a barricade on El Rufais right of passage, did he provoke the attack?And now, this same hoodlums barricaded themselves against the right of passage to the man who alone has exclusive authority to set up and disband barricades all over the Federation and you say it's unprovoked. Whether they barricaded with sticks, stones, boos, jears, shouts etc, it's an attack on the person of a serving General. Any action taken by the General to repell and prevent such attacks from repeating itself is very well deserved and decisive. The Shiites and Saksarkies in Zaria are bokoharams in the ne, Sunnis in Sokoto, Fulani guns trotting Herdsmen every where in Nigeria. The Lord is our Security.