National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a special investigative panel to probe the events that led to the clash between members of the Nigerian army and the Shiite Islamic sect.
The clash which took place over the weekend left about 10 people dead and over 100 injured.
In a statement by the commission, the panel was set up by the by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe.
The statement signed by Mr Lambert Okpara on behalf of Prof. Angwe read “In setting the panel, Prof. Angwe stressed the need for all the parties in the dispute to sheath their swords and assured that the commission will get to the root of the matter
“The Executive Secretary noted that the country is operating a democracy which demands that institutions must act within the ambit of the law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“In a democracy, the rule of law is supreme and it is important that we continue to remind everyone about the need to respect each other’s right.”
The panel which is made up of top management staff in legal, investigations and monitoring departments of the NHRC is headed by Mr Tony Ojukwu, Director, Monitoring Department.
In the petition submitted by signed by Colonel F. U. Mijinyawa for the Chief of Army Staff , the army claimed that on noticing the high profile convoy of Lt Col Tukur Buratai, members of the sect “quickly used heavy stones, logs, tyres and bonfires to block the road. All entreaties to pacify and administration of warning to the sect fell on deaf ears.
“On the contrary, they became more emboldened and demanded martyrdom with gun shots and pelting of the convoy with whatever was available to them.
“This left immediate security personnel of Chief of Army Staff with no choice than to take necessary actions in line with NA rules of engagement to clear the attack and extricate the entire convoy.
“An interim report by the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police vide HQ NACMP/GI/300/167 dated December 12, 2015, is enclosed.
“The sect demonstrated absolute defiance to reason, law and order before launching the attack. The Chief of Army Staff has instituted an investigation into the incident. Furthermore, the Shiite Muslims have been contacted nationwide to let them know that the NA is not against them but was forced to respond to the brutal attack by misguided elements among them. This is forwarded for your information and necessary action.”