There comes a time in the life of a nation that she decides to move on. In this case, move on from chaos, adversarial relationships and frequent altercations to quietude and reflection moment. The relationship between the Nigerian state and that of the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shiites has reached that stage. Recently in their continued protest against the continued detention of their leader, they staged a protest at the National Assembly, Abuja. The protest turned violent as the protesters allegedly shattered window glasses of the security gate at the main entrance to the complex and smashed windscreens of several vehicles at the premises before leaving; set vehicles ablaze and injured law enforcement agents. The incident forced the House of Representatives to hastily adjourn plenary. At the end of their protests at least six police men were critically injured, in some other climes; attack on security personnel is seen as a declaration of war.
Ibrahim El Zakzaky leader of IMN has been in detention by the Federal Government for the last four years. The protestors had passed two gates leading up to the third when they were, however, resisted by security operatives at the last gate to the main building of the National Assembly who fired sporadically into the air to disperse them. It is instructive to note that the IMN leader was taken in December 2015 for allegedly causing breach of the peace and leading his members in a disorderly manner. We have in the past condemned the modus operandi of IMN. To find the truth, we must tell the truth. Some of the conducts by members of IMN bothers on security breach. In fact they appear to be a law unto themselves.
If we recall, El Zakzaky’s arrest and detention followed a clash by IMN members with the Nigerian Army when they allegedly blocked the motorcade of Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria, Kaduna State.
After several courts of competent jurisdiction granted him bail, government has consistently disobeyed such orders as it has continued to keep him in detention for overriding “national security” concerns.
Angered by this position of the government, his followers had often taken to the streets in endless protests that have made life unbearable for Abuja residents. The situation worsened in the past one week due to the constant protests by the group with attendant disruption of social and economic life of citizens.
We condemn the violent protest by the movement. This resort to violence did not start today. The group appears to be anti Nigerian law or state. Those who have encountered them paint the gory picture of complete disregard for law and order and a resort to violence. We find it not only unacceptable but also reprehensible. On no account should any group resort to self-help to press home their demands or air their grievances. Disarming security officers is an invitation to anarchy and an affront on the Nigerian State.
Conversely, the Federal Government should obey court orders on the release of the Shiite leader and other persons still in detention despite court orders for their release. We insist that the continuous detention appear illegal, illogical and in bad taste. Government should be guided by the rule of law in all its dealings with the religious sect. We advise that the government should not err on the side of caution. Some conflicts or would-be conflicts are deflated by sheer statesmanly conduct. We had thought that the president will use his inaugural speech and in the spirit of reconciliation order the release of some detainees including the IMN leader. This is good optics which will attract goodwill to the country and in particular government.
Although we have seen people even members of the group threaten that their group may metamorphose into a terror group, we nonetheless think that such utterance is not helpful. There is no need to try to blackmail the country or government so that you can secure the freedom of your leader. If you suggest that the group can become Boko Haram, does that not lend support to government’s fears about the risk that IMN poses? Nobody should threaten us with such careless talks. Based on what the members of the group is alleged to do and seen doing in Abuja, they too should sound conciliatory. Reconciliation is a two way traffic.
We think that it is time somebody brokers some deal with this group not threats. We think that such deal should include the release of the wife of the leader of the group in a show of good faith and the group must also desist from their old ways. Then the release of El-Zakzakky will follow. Government knows more as such will have issues it will raise with the Movement and commit such in writing to ensure they stop doing certain things. They are Nigerians too. They have erred; however, they should not be treated as outcasts moreso since the courts are basically on their side.
