Claims about 19 vehicles part of ‘evil campaign’ against me – Former IG, Arase

The immediate past Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has denied reports that 19 assorted vehicles belonging to the police were recovered from him. He said “some forces were bent on tarnishing” his image.

Arase had on July 18 denied claims by his successor, Ibrahim Idris, that he went away with 24 police vehicles. His latest reaction followed a media report that 19 out of 24 vehicles he allegedly took away upon retirement had been recovered from him.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mr. Arase said he would not hesitate to seek legal redress against “those desperate to tarnish his image”.
“It is embarrassing for me to wake up on Monday morning to be inundated with calls and messages on purported 19 vehicles recovered from me. I wish to reassure the general public that there was nothing like that,” the former IG said.
“Like I said in July, I did not take any police vehicle with me outside what I am entitled to, and so, there couldn’t have been any vehicle recovered from me. If there was any such, those behind this campaign of calumny should please make the number plates of the vehicles public and where they were recovered from.
Rather than dissipating so much energy on ‘project drag Arase down’, I urge those behind this evil campaign to face their official responsibility for which much is expected from them by the nation.
I have done my bit and my own records bear me witness. Let those daily frightened by the shadow of Arase learn to face reality and stop chasing shadows so that they are not hunted by same,” the ex-police boss said.