[b] Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky [/b]
Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is another individual with his finger practically on the trigger. El-Zakzaky was the one who introduced the Shia Muslim practice into the country from Iran over 30 years ago. Before then, Nigeria had only Sunni Muslims.
The Sheik controls a chunk of the Muslim population in the north and is so influential that his religious procession or convoy has right of way above anyone. He could not even be controlled by law enforcement agencies. Residents of Kaduna State where El-Zakzaky has his abode told stories of an oppressive theocracy imposed on them by the religious leader.
“Every resident of Zaria is affected directly or indirectly by the self-acclaimed powers and disregard for traffic rules by the Shi’ite members in Zaria, especially when it comes to the use of public roads. These Shi’ite members consider any other person as a second class citizen who has no rights and privileges.
“These boys traumatised and brutally dealt with anybody while El-Zakzaky was on transit. Complaints to police at different times did not yield any result. I am from Gyallesu area, before now we lived just like prisoners who have no right to live a life worthy of human living.
“When El-Zakzaky was in Gyallesu, the area became a home to all kinds of criminals because his boys did not allow uniform personnel into the area, no matter the level of crime committed. These boys used to search anybody that is coming into the area irrespective of his or her status.
“Again, once they lock up the gates at night you have no right to go out for whatever reason. The kind of loyalty these boys accorded El-Zakzaky was second to none.
“They see him as a messiah. They neither have respect for constitution nor any constituted authority. His instruction is the final,” coordinator of Peace Initiative Forum, Mu’izzu Daruddeen revealed in a statement.
Although at the moment, El-Zakzaky’s whereabouts are unknown after he was bundled away by military men following a recent face-off between Shiite Muslim members and men of the Nigerian Army which left hundreds dead, his followers wait for his return patiently.
With no fewer than five of his sons allegedly killed in clashes between the sect and the Army in the last three years and him (El-Zakzaky) still missing, it is quite worrisome just to imagine what this situation could degenerate into in the light of how insurgent group, Boko Haram became violent after the extra judicial killing of their leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
The fact that the Sheik has a direct link to Iran which is notorious for sponsoring proxy wars and terrorist organizations on foreign soil does not help matters.
[b] Tompolo (Government Ekpemupolo) [/b]
A quick search of this code name on the internet reveals that the occupation of Government Ekpemupolo (as he was born) is guerilla fighter and it is doubtful if there is any informed Nigerian who does not know Tompolo, the Niger Delta militant who once ruled the days (and nights) of the South South region.
Before the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, the name ‘Tompolo’ drove fear into the hearts of many as he and his cohorts terrorized the creeks of the South-South region, blowing up oil pipelines daily and creating a thriving oil bunkering business from the ‘loot’ at the expense of millions of Nigerians. The amnesty programme, which was orchestrated by immediate past president Goodluck Jonathan when he was a vice president and signed by the late president, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, made Tompolo a very rich militant.
Through the programme, Tompolo and his ilk got mouth-watering contracts from the government of Yar’Adua and then Jonathan that ran into billions of naira. However, recent investigations by the Buhari administration alleged that the contracts were ill-gotten gains that have run the country’s treasury dry. But Tompolo has refused to see the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or show up in court, thereby forcing the presiding judge on is case at a Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Ibrahim Buba to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
Tompolo has threatened war with the Federal Government and vowed not to obey the court. He has already barricaded himself in at the creeks and has allegedly begun blowing up pipelines again to bring the government to its knees. Armed with more money than ever to procure even more weapons than before, Tompolo could pose a real danger to Nigeria quickly should the situation deteriorate any further in the South South.
With oil now selling at around $27 per barrel and the naira exchanging for over 300 to the dollar, the last thing Nigerians need is for things to get out of hand again in that region.
