Kaduna to get panel on Zaria clash
Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir ElRufai, said yesterday that a judicial commission of inquiry would be set up to investigate the recent clash in Zaria which led to the death of many members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
The governor in a state broadcast yesterday said the composition and terms of reference of the commission of inquiry would be announced within two weeks and assured the people of the state that the government was committed to securing the state and upholding the rights of every citizen.
El-Rufai who provided an update on the Zaria clash and the events that preceded it described the incident as sad.
“There have been tragic consequences and needless loss of lives, and we extend our condolences to the families that have been affected. In this sombre moment, the government has directed that steps be taken to address the humanitarian fallouts of the security operations”, he said.
The governor however insisted that everyone has a fundamental right to their faiths and beliefs, but no one has any right to practice their faith in ways that diminish, distress or inconvenience others, stressing that henceforth, no person or group, under any guise would be allowed to block any road, obstruct public highways, occupy public facilities or inconvenience citizens in the state. “Anybody that needs to march may do so, but they cannot take over public facilities or disrupt social services and commercial activities in Kaduna State, and any march or procession can be undertaken only with the prior knowledge of, and protection of the police to prevent the breakdown of law and order”, he said.