Nigeria woke up on Sunday, December 13 to the cries of the injured and the grief-stricken relations and friends of another mass dead, this time in Zaria.
A week later, we are yet to know how many members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly called the Shia – led by Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky – were gunned down in a clash with soldiers on a reprisal mission.
Ibrahim Musa, Shia spokesman, claimed in a statement that up to 1,000 members died. But informed estimates say no fewer than 1,000 Shia members and 300 others were felled by soldiers.
When the clatter of assault weapons stopped, the whereabouts of Al-Zakzaky, his wife, son, and some other members of the sect were unknown.
Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna, told reporters on Monday, December 14 that Al-Zakzaky, his wife, and some Shia adherents “are in our protective custody and will address his members with time.”
Soldiers shot dead worshippers at three locations – at Al-Zakzaky’s residence in Gyallesu, Husainiyya Bakiyatullah worship centre, and the Darur Rahma on the Zaria-Jos Road. All the buildings were also razed by soldiers.
Coming a week after a similar confrontation between soldiers and unarmed Biafra civilian protesters in Onitsha on December 2, we ask: When will the confrontations between soldiers and unarmed civilian groups end without waste of human lives?
An accurate report of the cause and consequences of the Zaria massacre is yet to be made. But provoking the military, which led to it, was inexcusable.
Both sides failed to appreciate the virtues of democratic ethos. Hence they share the blame for the bloodshed.
The Shia were in their annual procession to Hussainiyya Shrine when the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, drove into Zaria. Some sect members blocked his convoy.
The police were negligent in not providing escort for the procession. They should have created a safe corridor for motorists or closed the street and diverted all vehicles to alternative routes.
Major General Adamu Abubakar has presented a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on behalf of Buratai.
Abubakar said he has explained to the Shia that the Army is not against the sect and that soldiers were forced to respond to the attack on Buratai by “misguided elements among them for barricading the Zaria Polo/Golf Road with heavy stones, logs, tyres and bonfires in the vicinity of their shrine.”
When soldiers pleaded in vain with the sect members to clear a lane for Buratai, they used force to clear the way.
Seven worshippers died, according to a statement issued by Army Spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, which gave the impression that the blockade was created to assassinate Buratai.
Two hours after the attack soldiers returned to the scene with reinforcement and opened fire on the worshippers for the next 24 hours.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has warned that there should be no repeat of the circumstances which led to Boko Haram becoming more violent.
The NSCIA formed a contact group and asked Abuja to set up a judicial commission of enquiry to ascertain who did what. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called for peace and love in all religious denominations.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, have created committees to ascertain what happened and steps to take to restore peace.
We expect the military authorities to call their men to order. Soldiers are trained to kill. Anything which obstructs their way is like a declaration of war.
But the protesters were unarmed civilians.
Killing a housefly with a bazooka is not bravery. The armed forces, whose kits are paid for with tax payers’ money, should not turn their guns on innocent citizens.
In protest or religious processions, civilians must also be reminded that there are rules about the right of way on the streets.
Protesters in other countries hoist placards with inscriptions about their grievances but protesters in Nigeria carry daggers, spears, and other dangerous weapons under their clothes.
In July last year, soldiers killed 35 Shia members, including three children of Al-Zakzaky, in circumstances similar to the latest one.
Nigeria has too many problems. Another insurgency is not a wise option after the devastation caused by Boko Haram.
The best way to resolve the latest conflict is for Attorney General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, to set up a judicial commission of enquiry to restore peace.