The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Solomon Arase has promised to carry out a professional investigation into the recent clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite Islamic group in Zaria, Kaduna State.
A statement by the Force Spokesperson, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole in Abuja on Tuesday said Arase gave the promise when a delegation of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) led by its Secretary-General Prof. Ishaq Oloyede visited him.
He said that the police and other security agencies were conscious of the citizens’ fundamental rights and would protect them.
Arase appealed to the Islamic body to use its platform to caution all groups in the country against encroaching on other citizens’ rights.
“While they have the constitutional right to express their views, it should not circumscribe the rights of others,” he said.
The I-G denied an online report which quoted him as saying that relations of detained persons would have to seek special clearance before they would be allowed to visit them.
“The Inspector-General of Police at no time said there would be special clearance from anywhere before the Shiite members could be visited while still in custody,“ it said.
The statement made it clear that the detainees could be visited by their friends, relatives and lawyers, after undergoing the necessary procedures.
He reassured members of the public of the Force’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenets of fundamental human rights.
Police Service C’ssion approves promotion of 986 senior police officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC), has approved the promotion of 986 senior police officers and appointed Mr Emmanuel Ibe as its acting Secretary.
Ibe was the Director of Administration and Finance and Special Assistant to the former Chairman of the Commission.
A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani in Abuja on Tuesday said these decisions were taken at the commission’s 14th Plenary Meeting in Abuja.
Some of the beneficiaries are CP Shuaibu Gambo who is now Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) while DCPs Jonah Mava, Olusola David, Titus Lamorde, Chika Maidama and Abdullahi Ibrahim are now Commissioners of Police.
The statement said 16 Assistant Commissioners were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioners, 21 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners and three Superintendents to Chief Superintendents.
Nine Deputy Superintendents moved to Superintendents and 931 Assistant superintendents to Deputy Superintendents.
It further said that two Acting DCPs, four Acting ACPs and one Acting CSP were also confirmed.
The statement said that the promotions took effect from the Dec.16.
On the contrary, 12 disciplinary cases involving some policemen were resolved during the meeting.
The statement said two officers were demoted, two severely reprimanded and four others reprimanded.
It said one officer received a letter of advice while three others were exonerated.
-NAN