Late last year, the IMN and the Nigerian Army were involved in a bitter clash in Zaria during which troops opened fire on the group, killing dozens or arguable hundreds. Since then, the leader of the sect Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has been under arrest and the Shiites have been protesting calling for his unconditional release.
Yesterday, while testifying before the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government to investigate the December clashes between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite members in Zaria, Mallam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, the SCSN secretary said the IMN posed a grave threat to national security. He added that the failure of the government to deal decisively with the alleged excesses of the Shi’ites may be catastrophic for the peaceful coexistence of the country.
Mallam Ahmed also revealed that the late leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf had some relationship with the Shi’ites prior to forming his own group. He added that both Mohammed and the Shiite leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky had similar attitudes in holding onto their respective doctrines, which, according to him, were contrary to Islamic principles.
According to Mallam Ahmed, the Shi’ites had recently started adopting the Boko Haram strategy of intimidation and the elimination of Ulamas, who were opposed to their doctrines. He added that many of these Islamic scholars had refrained from testifying before the commission for fear of the unknown.
Furthermore, Mallam Ahmed, who lamented the initial government handling of Boko Haram, noted that small fires would become huge conflagrations if not tackled in an effective and timely manner. He urged the government to learn from its experience with Boko Haram by dealing decisively with the Shi’ite members to avoid another threat to the fragile peace in the country.
Mallam Ahmed added: “Failure to act will spell catastrophe for Nigeria." He also emphasised the need for society to be involved in checkmating the Shi’ite members, pointing out that government decisions were usually dictated by political expediency, which may not always reflect the best interest of the people.
According to Mallam Ahmed, the Shiite leader was attending Kaduna State government security council meetings during the administration of former governor Ahmed Makarfi because the former governor regarded Sheikh El-Zakzaky’s participation as politically expedient due to his large followership. He attributed the alleged disregard to constituted authorities by the Shi’ite members to the policy of appeasement and complicity adopted towards them by successive administrations in Kaduna State.
Mallam Ahmed further attributed the Zaria clash to divine retribution against the Shi’ite members for their alleged blasphemous utterances, especially their insults on the companions of Prophet Muhammad. In his testimony before the commission headed by Justice Muhammed Lawal Garba, Professor Isa Mohammed Maishanu of the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, said the Shiite members had a penchant for violence.
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