Kaduna police arraign 191 members of Shiite sect and are set to charge them to court

PROSECUTORS from the Kaduna State Police Command have arraigned 191 of the Shiite sect the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and are set to charge them with various offences including highway obstruction and attacking security agents.

 

On Saturday December 12, hundreds of members of the sect were gunned down by the Nigerian Army in Zaria after they refused to allow the chief of army staff Lt General Tukur Buratai and his entourage pass. According to military authorities, the sect tried to assassinate General Buratai and the troops had no option but to open fire.

 

However, it has subsequently emerged that the protesters were not armed but despite this, several members of the sect, including its leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky have been arrested. Yesterday, several of them were arraigned and are due to be charged before a Kaduna high court of federal high court charged with obstruction of highways, possession of weapons and attacking security agents.

 

However, 83 members of the sect, mostly women and children that were arrested during the Zaria clash have been released without charge. However, 191 have been placed on remand pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations which may lead to charges being filed against them.

 

Samuel Aruwan, a spokesman of the Kaduna State governor, disclosed that adequate security measures would be put in place across the state ahead of Eid-el-Maulud, Christmas and New Year festivities as a result of the crisis.  He advised citizens to continue to be law abiding and report any threat to peace and stability to security agencies, traditional and religious leaders and the government.

 

In addition, the she state government also urged residents of Gyellesu in Zaria Local Government Area of the state who fled their homes following the clash between the army and Shiite members to return to their homes, as security agencies have been permanently stationed in the community to provide adequate security for citizens residing in the area.

 

Inspector general of police Solomon Arase has promised to carry out a professional investigation into the recent clash between the Nigerian Army and the sect in Zaria. He reassured members of the public of the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenets of fundamental human rights.