Shi’ite, Army Clash: Centre Writes US Embassy over Iran’s Actions
Adebiyi Adedapo
The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has petitioned the United States Embassy over attempts by the Iranian Government to promote insurgency and undermine the sovereignity of Nigeria.
CESJET in the petition dated February 3, 2016, alleged that the Shi’ite group had constituted itself into a parallel authority, with no regards for the constitution of the country.
The organisation, through its Diplomatic Affairs Representative, Philip Agbese, said the actions of the Iranian government had been targeted at promoting insurgency and encouraging breach of peace just to bring Nigeria to her kneels.
“It is noteworthy to state that the Shi’ite hitherto constitutes itself into a parallel authority, with no regards for the Constitution. Residents of Zaria, Kaduna State and its environs have been living under the reign of terror of the Shi’ite. Human lives are sacred and for us in Nigeria, the lives of Nigerians and foreign nationals resident in Nigeria are more precious. Countries and organisations issued statements in the wake of the crisis made the reasonable suggestion that a probe committee be set up to investigate the root causes of the unfortunate incident and also to prevent a reoccurrence. To some extent, one may assume that some of those who made such calls have history of assisting Nigeria in other areas and wanted to safeguard fundamental human rights,” Agbese said.
The centre added that: “Our worry however is that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been strident in its interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs to the extent that they have chosen to use the Shi’ite-Army clash as a pretext to foist themselves on Nigeria as imperial masters. Iran has through diverse avenues sought to bring Nigeria under undue pressure to compromise its own sovereignty. Even though the issuance of statements by countries and organisations calling for thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident was followed by calm, ostensibly to enable Nigerian authorities probe what went wrong, Iran has done everything possible to
exacerbate the situation. Their actions have been targeted at promoting insurgency and encouraging breach of the peace just touring Nigeria.
Little wonder, Iran recently resorted to warning Nigeria over what they described as ‘high handedness’ of the Nigerian Army in handling an affair that is purely Nigerian and even called on members of the Shi’ite to attack strategic government institutions in revenge.”