An army spokesman said the demonstrators were armed with stones, petrol bombs, machetes and knives © AFP / SODIQ ADELAKUNNigerian Army has vowed to bring down the insurgency which members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shiites have commenced on with their recent attack on military in Abuja more dangerous than Boko Haram.
“They are supposed to be a religious organization. Where did they get those arms and ammunition? This was how Boko Haram started; in fact, it was not even as serious as this, said the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ),John Agim, in an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show.
John Agim, who denied allegations that the military was sent to disrupt the procession of the movement, noted: “there are different narratives out there that are not correct. It is not true that the military is being used to stop the Shiites from their normal procession.
“Right from 2015, we have been hearing about the issue of Shiites and the military. It has never been that the military was sent to stop whatever thing they are doing.
“The problem emanates from the philosophy that guide the movement. The clash that you see, in fact three times now, is that the Shiites obstruct the military from doing their job. They are a law unto themselves. They do anything.
“The narrative is being given by an international community and it is very simple. They want to make the military look unprofessional.
“They have the right to protest. But when you protest, protest lawfully. Anybody that does not obey the laws of the land should be sanctioned,” Agim said.
Asked why the Shiites are asked to obey the law, while the federal government has refused to obey the court order to release Zakzaky, Agim said: “So they are attacking the military to show their dissatisfaction with the government? Then they should be ready for the consequence.
“We don’t have rubber bullets when we are sent on assignments. So, if any organisation that is not happy with the government want to take on the military, then they should be ready for the consequence.
“Whatever the problem of the Shi’ites with the federal government, let them take it constitutionally. You take on any military in the world and you will be taken down.”
Shiites clashed with soldiers in some parts of Abuja last week during which three members were confirmed dead by the Army, though the group declared 1,000 of its members missing.
