In a statement released today, Senator Sani called for peace and insisted on a "full-scale investigation to ascertain the root cause of the violence and the carnage and destruction in the aftermath." Mr. Sani noted that northern Nigeria had for several years been neck deep in deadly violence, adding that the opening of a new front "will not augur well for the peace and stability of the nation."
"The Zaria violence established the fact that we have not learned any lessons from our bitter and painful experience," said Mr. Sani. He added: "With an excuse to suppress fundamental rights, the seed of tyranny is planted."
According to the senator, the Zaria carnage was avoidable. He said the violence "signifies the failure of reason, caution and restrain. The reported block of passage by the members of the Islamic movement is absolutely wrong. However, [the] disproportionate use of force by the military against the leadership and members of the Islamic movement is unacceptable and cannot be the legal or ethical response to such. Civility is the spirit of a free society. A democratic state is not just graded by its submission to popular causes and opinions but also by its tolerance and civility to unpopular ones."
Mr. Sani insisted that, as a democratic state, Nigeria "must balance our security exigencies with the need to observe and uphold our obligations to fundamental rights as guaranteed by our national constitution and international conventions we signed to conform."
"The military have a constitutional and professional duty to perform its function without hindrance but it must be done within the ambit of the law and full respect for fundamental rights of citizens."
Senator demanded the immediate release of all persons arrested during the clash if they cannot be charged to court. He pleaded with the people of Kaduna State to remain peaceful and law abiding.
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