Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed dismay with the frequent clashes between the Shi’ites’ Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and security operatives, over the continued detention of the sect’s leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat had been held in detention for four years in spite of a court ruling ordering their release.
Some affected residents, who spoke with NAN in separate interviews on Wednesday in Abuja, called for dialogue between the Federal Government and members of the sect.
Mr Kingsley Okafor, a Taxi Driver, who operates the Banex route, venue of one of the clashes, expressed surprise that the group’s protests which before now were peaceful had turned violent.
“What happened here yesterday was different from what we had seen in the past.
“Because, since this people started their demonstrations for over a year now, we related well with them, we know them, we carry them from Wuse to their destinations and back.
“Yesterday, we thought it was the normal routine, I was about to load my vehicle when we started hearing gunshots and teargas’ and people started running.
“We all started running to safety, people were running in various directions for their dear life, then the police took over and it grounded our business.’’
Okafor, who likened the situation of the Shi’ites to the events that led to the birth of Boko-Haram in Maiduguri, advised the government to allow the rule of law to prevail by releasing El-Zakzaky and his wife.
He described the incident as unfortunate, adding that it was not too late for the government to do the needful for peace to reign.
Also, a petty trader, Adaku Iheanacho, described the incident as terrible, noting that it grounded commercial activities and resulted in losses as people ran for their lives.
Mr John Asishana, a telecom business dealer, regretted that the incident was happening in the federal capital territory, which was home to the diplomatic communities.
“We were here doing our legitimate businesses when we heard shouts and members of the Shi’ite movement started throwing stones, this is the FCT, we think security, the Federal Government should do something fast before it is too late.’’
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Solomon Ishaku, a worker in the Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat, another venue of such clashes, said he heard gunshots while in his office and ran out to see lots of people running around.
Ishaku urged the Federal Government to put an end to the unrest and ensure security of lives and property.
Similarly, Mr Victor Jaja another, Civil Servant, urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue, describing it as worrisome.
“Lives are being lost and it’s a worrisome issue, we do not need to lose any more lives; we are all Nigerians and the country belongs to all of us, let us all live peacefully.
NAN recalls that the Presidency had said the case involving the leader of the Shiites, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, is no longer in the hands of the Federal Government.
“As far as this country’s Ministry of Justice is concerned, the case involving El-Zakzaky is no longer in its domain,” President Muhammadu Buhari spokesman, Garba Shehu said in a statement.
“The Federal Government no more has hands in the matter and to that extent, the government at the centre can be said to be clear of any alleged violations of court orders as being trumpeted every day,” he added.
El-Zakzaky was charged with murder in April 2018. His alleged offence took place during the December 2015 clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and a convoy of Nigeria’s army chief, Tukur Buratai. (NAN)
