The Nigeria Police Force will descend on people tearing, defacement and destruction of political campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to candidates and political parties across the country ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The Force, while condemning the act in a statement signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja Wednesday, warns political thugs, hoodlums and other mischief-makers involved to desist immediately.
“For the avoidance of doubt, destroying, defacing or unlawfully removing another candidate’s campaign posters and billboards may constitute malicious damage, which is a criminal offence under applicable criminal laws (Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Sections 326 of the Penal Code Law, which defines the offence of mischief).
“Political differences or loyalty to a particular party do not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate’s property or infringe on their right to campaign freely,” the statement reads.
The Force reiterates that all political parties and candidates, irrespective of their affiliation or status, are entitled to equal protection under the law, stressing that no individual or group has the right to determine whose campaign materials should be displayed or destroyed.
The statement explained that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu has directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive measures to prevent such acts, investigate reported incidents and ensure that persons found culpable are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Political sponsors and individuals who recruit, encourage or facilitate these criminal acts will equally be held accountable where evidence establishes their involvement.
“The Nigeria Police Force will not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the nation’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness. Those who choose to break the law will face the full consequences of their actions,” the statement adds.
The Force calls on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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