Army/Shi’ite clash: Northern governors

Army/Shi’ite clash: Northern governors meet

By Our Reporter  on December 18, 2015 
• Kaduna gov bans public procession, probes Zaria clash
From Ismail Omipidan, Noah Ebije, Kaduna and Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Governors of the 19 northern states under the umbrella of  Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) will meet in Kaduna tomorrow over last weekend’s clash between soldiers and Shi’ites.
 The Zaria, Kaduna clash claimed scores of lives.
 Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, who is chairman of the forum, who announced this also said: “The venue and time of the meeting has been communicated to members of the forum,” he said.
 His spokesman, Isa Gusau, said in a statement, that the decision followed consultations between the governors on Wednesday night.
 He said the NSGF expressed concern over the clash and resolved to wade into the matter.
 The governors, however, called on citizens and all parties involved in the Zaria incident to be calm and exercise restraint.
 Meanwhile, Shi’ite  in Kano State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest and offered special prayers seeking God’s intervention.
 The procession and the prayer , which took place at Masaka primary school, in Dala Local Government area, were led by  Mallam Sunu.si Abubakar, who, during his prayers, sought Allah’s judgment on “..the use of force on innocent and defenceless citizens. “
In a related development, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has formally banned public processions on highways and use of public facilities for any kind of procession.
 Similarly, the governor has also concluded plans to set up a judicial commission of inquiry, to look into the recent clash between soldiers and members of the Shi’ite group in Zaria.
 The governor made these known in a state broadcast to the people yesterday.
 He said the composition and terms of reference of the commission of inquiry would be announced within two weeks, even as he assured the people that government was committed to securing the state and uphold the rights of every citizen.
“We have witnessed sad events in Zaria. 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, the government has directed that steps be taken to address the humanitarian fallouts of the security operations. Everyone has a fundamental right to their faiths and beliefs, but no one has any right to practice their faith in ways that diminish, distress or inconvenience others…”