The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated a 5-man panel to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, who inaugurated the panel in Abuja yesterday, said that the investigation became necessary following a complaint tendered before the commission by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
According to Angwe, the panel is expected to make recommendations to the commission on how to forestall a recurrence.
He stated that the panel will investigate to determine violations of human rights on any of the parties during the clash, recommend remedies, and restitution if necessary.
The five-man panel has Mr Tony Ojukwu as its Chairman, and Mr Kabiru Elayo as Secretary. Other members of the committee include Mr Abdulrahman Yakubu; Mr Halilu Adamu; and Mr Babangida Labaran.
The panel has two months within which to submit its report.
NAN recalls that a clash between the convoy of the COAS and members of the Shiite Islamic sect led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on December 13 along the Kaduna-Zaria road left a number of people dead. [NAN]
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