As part of the moves to restore peace in Zaria, Kaduna state, the federal government has sent a delegation to mediate in the the crisis to prevent an escalation.
Abdulrahman Dambazzau and Solomon Arase at the centre
A federal government delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, visited Kaduna on Tuesday on a fact finding tour of the issues surrounding the military onslaught on the Shi’ite Movement of Nigeria and the damage resulting.
The delegation also comprised the police inspector general, Solomon Arase and the commandant-general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The group first visited Kaduna, the state capital, where they met the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai. From there they proceeded to Zaria, where they met with the emir, saw things for themselves and also visited Gyallesu, the main base of the Shi’ite sect.
Shrines and home of the sect founder, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky were reportedly razed and bulldozed to the ground in Gyallesu. The town was heavily militarised with heavily armed soldiers all around the place and only a few civilians.
The onslaught against the sect by the Army started when members blocked the road, preventing a convoy of the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, from passing. The Army claimed that the group had attempted to assasinate the Chief of army staff, an allegation which the group denied.
See more photos: