According to a press statement by Olabisi Kolawole, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Arase was speaking during a visit to his office in Abuja by a delegation of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by its Secretary-General, Prof Ishaq O. Oloyede.
He clarified that contrary to a report in the press, he has at no time said he needed to seek “orders from the above,” and that no special clearance was required from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still in custody.
Prof Oloyede praised the leadership qualities of Mr. Arase and the Force Management Team. He thanked the Force for the cooperation extended to the Islamic body, and urged the IGP to look into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to avoiding similar incidents in the future.
He also appealed for possible medical assistance to those detained in connection with the incident.
Thanking the delegation for its visit, IGP Arase 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 in Zaria, 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 right to express their views, it should not circumscribe the rights of others.
The IGP reassured the delegation of the commitment of the Force to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenet of fundamental human rights.
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