Solomon Arase, the Inspector-General of Police, has revealed when and how Shitte Muslims in detention in connection with the recent violence in Zaria, Kaduna state, can be visited by their friends, relatives and lawyers. According to him the leader of the Shiites Ibrahim El-Zakzaky can be visited at any time by observing necessary legitimate procedures.
Arase was speaking during a visit to his office in Abuja by a group of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by its Secretary-General, Prof Ishaq O. Oloyede. The IGP explained that contrary to a report in the media, he has at no time said he needed to seek “orders from the above,” and that no particular clearance was necessary from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still arrested. Olabisi Kolawole, the police public relations officer, in a press statement commended the leadership qualities of Arase and the Force Management Team.
Arase stressed that the police and other security agencies are aware of Nigerian citizens’ human rights and would protect them. The IGP also gave the assurance to them of professional probe of the incident in Zaria, and appealed to the Islamic body to use its reputable and respected platform to warn all groups in the country that while they have the constitutional right to express their views, it should not restrict the rights of others.
The IGP reassured the guests of the commitment of the force to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenet of fundamental human rights.
A clash between members of the sect and the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on December 12 and 13 in Zaria left a yet unknown number of sect members, including the sect’s second-in-command, Muhammad Turi, dead.