The Abuja Shi’ite riots

BETWEEN Saturday October 27 and Tuesday October 30, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) (Shi’ite ) saw hell in the hands of Nigerian security agencies. They also gave hell in return to the security operatives and inhabitants of Nyanyan, Mararaba, Suleja, Zuba in the fringes of the Federal Capital as well as the Abuja city itself.

A statement largely circulated on whatsapp platforms had informed that the sect would be embarking on a three-day procession around Abuja. But Abuja is not new to the IMN members in the last three years. Since the detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky by the Federal Government, the sect members have been thumbing the streets of the federal capital at intervals. Most of the time, they target the Friday worships at the National Mosque to draw attention to the continued detention of their leader.

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Each time they took to the streets, there was always commotion and traffic gridlock. On countless occasions, there were clashes with security operatives, especially the Police.

But the procession that coincided with the beginning of last week was special. First, it was in fulfilment of a religious obligation by the sect and it was also meant as a protest march against the continued detention of the leader of that sect.

As the sect members proceeded on the journey, fire was let loose and commotion reigned along the routes. The military, which has set itself aside as antagonist of the sect since the ugly incident in Kaduna in 2015, leading to the killing of over 300 sect members and the eventual incarceration of their leader blocked the way, firing shots to deter the determined sect members. On two consecutive days, Abuja was shut down. There was panic as stranded commuters struggled with the stress along the Kubwa and Nyanya routes. Many were stranded in their offices as news of the blocked entrance and exit routes from Abuja spread. It was as if the city had been surrounded by enemy troops. On the Nyanya axis, blood flowed freely as guns boomed in different directions as the Shi’ites came face to face with the military around Abacha Barracks close to the City Centre. When the sect counted its dead, its spokesman claimed they had buried 23 members with many others injured.

The tension that enveloped the city was only likeable to a war situation and truly Abuja was besieged.

But what was the essence of all the stress? Many have called it unnecessary commotion and I largely agree. One thing stand out:  The sect members were protesting the three year detention of their leader, Zakzaky. Though the courts have granted him bail the Federal Government has insisted on keeping him in protective custody. The same way the government is keeping the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki retired.

A number of theories, largely unfounded have been circulated about the said continued detention of Zakzaky.  Some have alluded to sect rivalry in the Islamic world. Some have alluded to the fear his return to Kaduna might spark further unrest, perhaps due to the fact that he might not have a worship centre to return to, following the raid by the military in 2015.

But whatever the underlining issues and claims, nothing out there can override the rule of law component as it applies to the man Zakzaky. Notwithstanding the claims attributed to President Muhamadu Buhari at the recent Bar Conference in Abuja to the effect that National security could supercede the rule of law on occasions, the fact remains that the law cannot be circumvented. The rule of law towers above every consideration of government , being the foundation and pillar upon which the government is also standing. The rule of law essentially rests on concerete tenets, including the supremacy of the law and that no one is above the law.

As far as a regime is brought to life through constitutionalism, the fact remains that the supremacy of the law can no longer be shortchanged.  Because the government itself has no life without the rule of law, its decision to protect national interest will therefore only be subservient to the law.

The same Law set aside the office of the President and other organs of state. No one should be seen to be approbating and reprobating at the same time.

As far as the holder of the office did not enter that office owing to the barrels of the gun or personal whims, the law, which brought his government into being, would remain tower above any other interest. It is the oxygen that gives it life. It is sacrosanct.

In the case of Zakzaky, the government either frees him in accordance with the dictates of the courts that granted him bail or try him on any other alleged offences.  Without putting him up for trial, it is wrong to continue to detain him.

And we all are already seeing flashes of the anger the continued detention could cause. Many have said that the now deadly Boko Haram sect began like a child’s play in Maiduguri axis.  No one prays a sect as widespread as the IMN is radicalised that way.

One thing the government can do though is to enter into dialogue with the man such that he inculcates in his members the spirit of obedience to the laws of the environment they operate. Once such a dialogue is held and he is made to operate within the norms of the land, nothing should keep him in detention any further, except of course, if the courts found him wanting on any issue.