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Probe Zaria killings now, NSCIA tells FG

     

    • Sultan, top Muslims meet as Reps summon service chiefs
    …Iranian leader offers to intervene

    From Ismail Omipi­dan, Sola Ojo, Kadu­na, Kemi Yesufu and Fred Itua, Abuja

    THE Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday called for a commis­sion of inquiry to look into the killings of Shi’ite members in Zaria last weekend.
    This is even as the House of Representatives is set to meet with service chiefs to find a solution to the crisis. Also, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari on phone, offering to assist the victims of the clash and stop further violence.
    The council arrived at the resolution at the end of its fifth emergency Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) meeting. The parley, which was held in Abuja yesterday, was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the organisa­tion, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
    The Sultan condemned the crisis and called for cessation of hostilities.
    Announcing the outcome of the meeting, NSCIA Secretary- General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, told reporters that a seven-man contact committee has also been set up by the council.
    “We expressed concern about what is happening in Zaria and call for restraints on the part of all stakeholders in the interest of peace and security.
    “The council also decided that an impartial and independent Ju­dicial Commission of Inquiry be set up to include, for credibility sake, all stakeholders including the NSCIA and that if possible, members of the group concerned should also be represented on the commission, so that what­ever you come out with, will be seen as credible and impartial,” Oloyede, noted.
    He said the meeting also de­cided to set up the seven-man contact committee to meet with all parties while calling for cau­tion, just as he urged all those concerned to await the report of the commission.
    “The council also decided that this Friday Jumat should be utilised to call on all Muslims for prayers for this country and caution all persons, including the aggrieved.
    “We also call on the govern­ment and citizens of this country that the best way to solve griev­ances or infractions is to follow the Rule of Law. We should al­ways seek the Rule of Law as a solution to any problem we have rather than self-help either on the part of government or on the part of the citizenry,” Oloyede added.
    He named the President of the Muslim Ummah of South­west Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Daud Noibi as Chairman of the council’s Contact Committee and also listed Musemil Hanga, retired Police Commissioner Abubakar Tsav, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman, Yusuf Ali (SAN), Ustaz Abubakr Sideeq and Prof. Ishaq Oloyede as members.
    Meanwhile, the House of Representatives said yesterday it would soon meet with service chiefs over the clash following an attempted mob attack on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai which led to the clash.
    The House’s decision to intervene was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas.
    The statement reads in part: “Following a clash between Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ite and security operatives in Zaria, Kaduna State over the weekend, the House of Representatives has directed two of its relevant committees to meet with the top echelon of security agencies in the country so as to unearth the cause of the clash with a view to finding lasting solutions,”.
    He said Speaker Yakubu Dogara urged the committees to be up to the task, considering the sensitive nature of the matter and the security situation in the country at the moment.
    Meanwhile, President Rouhani telephoned President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, seeking ways to assist Nigeria over the crisis.
    Iraninan news agency (IRNA) quoted Rouhani as telling Buhari to ensure that “minor disputes must not be allowed to turn into deep differences”. He was also said to have asked about the welfare of the injured victims, especially Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the sect,while advising Buhari to issue strict orders that could forestall further attacks.
    Rouhani also announced Iran’s readiness to dispatch any special assistance, such as medical, rescue and relief teams to assist the victims.
    On his part, Buhari reportedly appreciated the effort of his Iranian counterpart, emphasizing that he realises his responsibility in safeguarding the lives of Nigerian Muslims. “The Nigerian government is also determined to pursue the precise causes of the occurrence of that incident and will definitely react to it accordingly,” he said.
    [SunNews]

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