NSCIA offers to mediate in Shiites, Army clash; as IGP assures professional investigation into incident
The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has offered to mediate in the recent clash between members of the Shiite Muslim sect and troops of the Nigerian Army in Zaria, last week.
This is just as the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, assured that the police would carry out a ‘professional investigation’ into the incident which has attracted international condemnation.
NSCIA made the offer of mediation during a courtesy visit to the office of the IGP at Force Headquarters, Abuja, Monday.
Prof Ishaq O. Oloyede, head of the delegation and the Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, in his address appreciated the leadership qualities of IGP Solomon Arase and the Force Management Team.
He thanked the police for the cooperation extended to the Islamic body, and further used the medium to request to mediate in the clash between Shiite Islamic group and the military which occurred recently in Zaria.
Prof Oloyede urged the IGP to look into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to avoiding such in future, just as he equally appealed for possible medical assistance to those detained in connection with the incident.
Responding, IGP Arase appreciated the delegation’s visit to his office, emphasizing that the police and other security agencies are conscious of Nigerian citizens’ fundamental rights and would protect them.
Arase also assured them of professional investigation of the incident, even as he 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.
Meanwhile, contrary to media report credited to the IGP, which claims that to make the access to the sect members possible, the IGP would have to seek “orders from the above”, Arase stated that at no time did he say there would be special clearance from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still in custody.
The IGP made it clear that the detainees could be visited by their friends, relatives and lawyers, observing necessary legitimate procedures.
The IGP, however, reassured of the commitment of the police to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenet of fundamental human rights.
