The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a crackdown on political thugs and their sponsors nationwide.
He has directed all zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to investigate all acts by political actors, their sponsors and agents that contravene the provisions of the law.
Political thugs had in the past week attacked President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina and on Thursday in Bauchi, during which two operatives of the Department of State Services were injured and hospitalised.
Abba, who spoke through the Force Public Relations, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in Abuja on Saturday, decried the use of thugs and miscreants by some political parties to disrupt and truncate the political campaigns of their opponents.
The police boss expressed concerns that despite several warnings to political actors, their sponsors and collaborators against the recourse to violence and the use of thugs in furthering political interests, there had been reports of untoward activities in political campaigns and meetings.
According to him, the police have received disturbing reports of defacing of campaign posters and use of demeaning words, noting that stones and missiles had also been hurled at the nation’s leaders.
The IG therefore threatened to apply the full weight of the law on any political actor, sponsor, associate or foot-soldier who resorts to hate speech or the use of violence to advance his or her political agenda.
He said, “These conduct do not speak well of the maturity of aspiring leaders. Such acts contravene section 227 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and sections 94 and 95 of the Electoral Act.
“Besides, they grossly negate sections 5 – 8 of the Public Order Act and Article 3 of the Political Parties Code of Conduct commonly agreed to and adopted by all political parties.
“For the avoidance of the doubt, the Nigeria Police will apply the full weight of the law on any political actor, sponsor, associate or foot-soldier who resorts to hate speech or the use of violence to advance his or her political agenda. The unity, peace and orderly progress of this nation cannot be mortgaged to suit or oil the ambitions of a few.”
The IG said a number of suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks on the President’s convoy and the burning of two campaign buses in Jos, Plateau State.
