Army/Shiite clash: El-rufai re-visits affected areas in Zaria
By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Kaduna.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-rufai Wednesday re-visited Zaria for a first hand, on-the-spot assessment of affected areas following the clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiite) and the Army as a result of the attack on the motorcade of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Saturday which led to loss of lives.
The Governor in company of top government functionaries visited the residence of the sect’s leader, Sheik Ibraheem Yaqub ElZakzaky at Gyellesu, Hussainiya headquarters located along ever busy Sokoto road and beside the Golf Course in PZ, and the sect’s Resource Centre cum cemetery along Dembo road all in Zaria.
The three places were still being guarded by armed and fierce looking soldiers with neighboring houses deserted and looking empty. But all through the town and on major streets, business activities have picked up with normalcy observed among major residents.
Meanwhile, meeting with traditional leaders and the 23 Local Government Interim Chairmen of Local Governments before proceeding to Zaria, El-rufai charged them and all stakeholders to continue preaching peace in their various communities.
“The meeting is to rob minds in view of the current security situation in the state and country at large. We will continue to partner with traditional rulers in preaching peace in our communities. Our government will act promptly in any security issues. I am calling on all our traditional rulers not to hesitate to get in touch with us in any security matters. We commiserated with the emir of Zazzau over the unfortunate incident in Zaria. I am in touch with the federal government over the clash in Zaria” he assured.
The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alhaji Shehu Idris commended the governor and security agents for maintaining peace in the state ,assuring that the traditional institution would continue to assist government in bringing sustainable peace to the state.
“We thank Governor Nasir El-rufai and security agencies for their efforts for peace to prevail in the state. We will not relent on our part in preaching peace to our subjects for development and progress to take place” he stressed.
