Army, Shi’ites in gun battle after alleged assassination attempt on Buratai

 

Following the alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai by members of the Islamic movement of Nigeria, Shi'ite, a gun battle has reportedly taken over a part of Kaduna State.

Leadership Newspaper reports that a heavy fighting broke out late Saturday night, December 12, 2015 into the early hours of Sunday, December 13, 2015 between men of the Nigerian army and members of Shi'ite.

It was further reported that the gun battle had began following the surrounding of the house of leader of the Shi'ite group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by the Nigerian troops.

Alleged moves to arrest El-Zakzaky by the military was reportedly rebuffed by members of the Shi'ite movement, thereby causing a gun battle in Gyallesu area of Zaria at about 11pm on Saturday night.

Yesterday, members of the Islamic movement were said to have attacked the soldiers attached to the convoy of Burutai, who was in Zaria for a passing out parade ceremony at the Nigeria Army Depot.

In a reaction by the Army, the spokesman Colonel SK Usman, disclosed that the COAS had gone to the Emir’s palace to pay homage on the royal father and as the convoy was moving towards to military depot, the COAS vehicle was attacked by members of Shiite.

“In fact the COAS escaped assassination attempt. We were in Zaria to attend the passing out parade and to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and some members of Shiite blocked the road and attacked the convoy.

“Luckily enough, the Army Chief escaped unhurt. But we have taken the matter to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action because we cannot allow such unlawful acts to continue,” he stated.

However, the leader of the movement, Zakzaky, denied the claim, saying “it was soldiers who opened fire on his members for no just cause.”

In a bid to restore peace and calm to the state, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai made an appeal to both parties following the clash.

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan said the governor had reached out to El-Zakzaky as well as Buratai to ensure normalcy returns to the state.