THE MILITARY AND SHI'ITES IMBROGLIO.

By

Akpezi, Joseph 

     The incidence involving the Military and members of the Islamic sect; the Shi'ites is a rather unfortunate one. The spur of the moment is a sensitive one that must be handled with caution and a whole lot of tact. With due respect to the military, setting out to kill tens of lives of the citizenry was never in the playbook.

      It is an unfortunate occurrence sadly happening at this time in our history. For fact sake and to ensure reality and truth is never mangled on the alter of nothing whatsoever, it should be on record that no sect or group of people reserves the right to obstruct state actors from discharging their lawful duties as enshrined in the constitution, be they Biafran agitators or Shite sect. Our nation is going through a traumatic and harrowing experience of prosecuting a tough guerilla warfare that has taken a toll on the Nation. #

    The myriad of problems such as Boko Haram, Biafra Agitators, Kidnapping, Unemployment, Infrastructural decay and a whole lot are pending issues on the fore burner begging for attention. It is unfair for any group to take advantage of the situation to harm the state further. The fundamental rights of all citizens are guaranteed in our statute books, including that of citizens, sects and military officers who are labouring day and night to ensure that ordinary citizens go about their daily business without fear. There is no justification for attacking the army chief or denying him access in a crude way. Nobody is above the law and no group should be encouraged to undermine the state in any form. If we do, in a time not too long from now we will all become victims when the full implication goes full circle.

    If Shites stops the army chief today, PFN stops IG tomorrow and the trends evolves unabated, it won't be long before Biafran agitators will take our President hostage. No group reserves any right to regulate our environment except the state. Allowing non-state actors the right to determine how our environment is organized is a recipe for disaster. Our right to freedom of worship does not by any means equate to right of disobedience to state. Where our freedom stops is where the right of others begin. No individual or group of people reserves the right to turn the state on its head under any guise. We must respect each other and we must submit equally to state authorities as agents responsible for the moulding cohesion. If we all resist the Authority of state, there will be anarchy and we will all suffer for it.

      It is quite sympathic for those who lost their lives and those who lost love ones in the fracas, I pray God Almighty to console them. But let this not be taken beyond this point. We have a responsibility to protect the state and its institutions so that we can have an orderly society. We must be citizens of conscience and we must stand by truth always. We must judge our conducts and the issues we defend relative to truth. Otherwise, our maker will hold us responsible for the evil that emanates from misconducts arising from the act. God bless Nigeria