Army vs Shiite: It’s unacceptable for Army to declare war against unarmed citizens – NLC

By Victor Ahiuma-Young
NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said it was unacceptable for Nigeria Army to declare war of attrition against unarmed citizens and threw its weight behind the probe of the clash between the Nigerian army and the Shiíte Islamic Movement of Nigeria, MIN, led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, in Zaria, which claimed 10 lives.
NLC, in a statement by its factional President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba,  contended that it was bad for any group of people to have allegedly blocked the road, restrict the movement, and allegedly threatened the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Tukur Buratai.
But he insisted that there was no room for extra-judicial behaviour and extra-judicial killings whatsoever, lamenting that the violence between MIN and the Nigerian Army was getting addictive, frequent and avoidably bloody and wasteful.
“For a country that has witnessed and still coping with senseless violence with attendant mass deaths, especially in the North East, this is one additional violence most condemnable.
“NLC commiserates with the families of those who lost their lives during the December 12,  Zaria crisis and call on the Federal Government to increasingly be proactive in responding to crises in the country.
“We therefore, call on the authorities to take necessary measures to ensure that this unnecessary conflict was  brought to a permanent end.
“Federal Government must urgently investigate the root causes of frequent mutually destructive violence between MIN and the Army. We recall that this is not the first time the movement had been involved in a clash with the military. In 2014, some members of the movement including the sons of Zakzaky reportedly lost their lives during a similar clash.
At a time Nigeria had lost several lives and properties through insurgency, we must guide against further disaster.