The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon E. Arase, on Sunday said the police hierarchy did not ban devotion in schools in the country.
A statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said the Force has not issued any order banning assembly devotion in primary and secondary schools anywhere in Nigeria.
Arase noted that against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country, the Police only issued advisory notice directed predominantly to the states where there are insurgency.
The advisory enjoined the heads of the primary and secondary schools to apply caution in the said assembly so that such congregations do not present soft target for insurgents.
Reminding citizens of their freedom to worship as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police High Command stated in the statement that the Nigeria Police Force did not stop anybody from taking part in prayer sessions organised by schools, churches and mosques.
It described such assembly as the constitutional and democratic rights of Nigerians.
Arase called on the general public to see the present position of the Force as a necessary sacrifice for the security, safety and peace our schools need, as security is a collective responsibility.
Arase in the statement reassured Nigerians of the Police’s determination to strengthen and enhance the safety and security of all residents of Nigeria while counting on Nigerians to continue to support and work in synergy with the Nigeria Police Force toward the achievement of its constitutional mandate.