Zaria indigenes testify against Shiites, El-Zakzaky at inquiry

Some indigenes of Zaria, under the umbrella of Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEDA) yesterday testified against the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shiite sect, at the judicial commission of inquiry headed by Justice Mohammad Lawal Garba investigating the clash between soldiers and the group.

The association said the movement has been terrorising the emirate for many years.Spokesman of ZEDA, Alhaji Mohammed Balarabe, while appearing before the commission in Kaduna, said it was time to expose the atrocities committed by the group.

Balarabe narrated how the movement harassed the citizens and shut down roads, preventing pedestrian and vehicular movement while holding their processions.

He said the clash between members of the movement and the Nigerian Army on December 12, 2015 was not the first of such incident.He also cited instances when the group had encounters with the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris and former governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

Balarabe also said that the group’s leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his members do not belong to ZEDA, adding that they refused to register with the association.

According to him: “We are familiar with the activities of the movement for about 20 years of its existence. And as someone who schooled in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, we are witnesses to these issues.”
“Whenever they are having their procession we stay indoor to avoid confrontation with them,” Balarabe stated.