Colonel Sani Usman: says Zaria is now calm

The Nigerian Army has urged Zaria residents to go about their legitimate businesses as the security situation in the city has been brought under control.

Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman said this in a statement today. He however was silent on the arrest of the Zaria Shiite leader Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky or the reported deaths of two of his aides, his deputy, Muhammad Turi and spokesman, Ibrahim Usman. The duo reportedly died during the arrest of El Zakzaky.

Colonel Usman’s statement  was also short on  details about any military operation after the attack on the Army Chief. He simply said the Army was in control.

Members of the Shi’ite sect on Saturday reportedly attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria. The army said it was an attempted assassination of the chief of army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. The Shiites denied making such attempt.

Sheikh Ibrahim Zak Zaky: accused of ordering the attack

Usman said the continuous disruption of public peace by any group would not be tolerated.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the rights of any group of persons and Sheikh El Zak Zaky’s followers to hold a peaceful march or procession unhindered, but it also guarantees other people’s rights of way on public highways.

“Acts that subject citizens to hardship, delays, threats and disruption of public peace cannot be tolerated and must stop.

” As soon as order is restored to the situation in Zaria city and its environs, the Police will conduct an enquiry and the public will be informed.

“In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police.”

Usman said the antecedents of the group remained worrisome especially as they infringed on the rights of innocent citizens.