Do something about police-Shiite clashes, NYCN appeals to Buhari

The National Youth Council of Nigeria has expressed its concern over the strained relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shiites, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to do something decisive to arrest the situation.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the Shiites had been on the streets protesting the detention of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky since 2015.

In most cases, these protests often result in clashes with police operatives, resulting in fatalities and destruction of properties.

READ ALSO: Shiite-Police Clash: Situation under control, IGP tells Buhari

However, the National President of the NYCN, Bello Shagari, called for security concern over the development, saying that the clashes had recorded scores of injuries, deaths and destruction of properties from both sides.

The president said the clash which has recorded scores of injuries, deaths and destruction of properties from both sides calls for security concern in the country.

Mr Shagari urged the federal government to do something about it, warning that, “the protest may grow beyond what it is today.”

“We believe that it is best for the government to open dialogue with the supporters of Sheikh Zakzaky in order to bring the confrontations to a peaceful end.

“Even though we are aware that the government has its own reason for keeping Sheikh Zakzaky in detention, it will be proper to have a dialogue with his supporters to reach a compromise where all parties will be satisfied,” Shagari advised.

According to him, the Nigerian youth don’t want the escalation of grievances that may give excuses for terrorizing ordinary Nigerians, saying that it may become detrimental to Nigeria’s future.

“Nigeria has had enough of terrorism and violence,” he lamented.

Mr Shagari appealed to President Buhari to take a decisive action on the matter in the best interest of all Nigerians to have a smooth and peaceful running of affairs in the next level.

He expressed his sadness over the need for the association to have to talk about the increasing violence.

The president, however, said: “Our desire for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria has forced us to do so.”