The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has been called upon to urgently mediate on the clash between Shi’ite Islamic group and the military in Zaria.
A delegation of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, who paid a courtesy call on the IGP in Abuja, urged him to look into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to avoiding such in future.
Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs who headed the delegation, appreciated the leadership qualities of IGP Arase and the Force Management Team.
He thanked the Force for the cooperation extended to the Islamic body. “We want to use this medium to ask that you mediate on the clash between Shiite Islamic group and the Military which occurred recently in Zaria.
The body equally appealed for possible medical assistance to those detained in connection with the incident.
In his response, IGP Arase appreciated the delegation’s visit to his office. He emphasized that the Police and other security agencies are conscious of Nigerian citizens’ fundamental rights and would protect them.
He also assured them of professional investigation of the incident and appealed to the Islamic body to use its reputable and respected platform to caution all groups in the country, that while they have the constitutional rights to express their views, it should not circumscribe the rights of others.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole debunked an online reports by Premium Times, credited to the IGP, that to make the access to the sect members possible, he would have to seek “orders from the above”, added that there was no time the IGP said there would be special clearance from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still in custody.
IGP Arase said access will be granted for the Shiites in detention. “The IGP made it clear that the detainees could be visited by their friends, relatives and lawyers, observing necessary legitimate procedures.
The IGP, however, reassures of the commitment of the Force to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenet of fundamental human rights.