The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigations into alleged inciting remarks attributed to the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba; Kuje Area Council Chairman, Danjuma Shekwolo; and Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East.
The Force also disclosed that 154 persons arrested during the August 15 Osun State governorship election remained under investigation.
The police spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Tuesday at the joint security spokespersons’ briefing in Abuja.
Iniedu said the police had already questioned Senator Fadahunsi over alleged comments directed at members of the Accord Party, stressing that statements capable of inciting members of the public, particularly during an electoral process, could constitute a criminal offence.
He said, “I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State. The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.”
The police spokesman said the Force would enforce the law regardless of the status of anyone involved.
“The Nigerian Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order, and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored,” he stated.
The investigation follows controversial remarks reportedly made by the three political actors.
Buba was accused of threatening to flog residents who refused to support the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election, while Shekwolo reportedly told residents of Kuje Area Council to support the APC in 2027 or leave the area.
Fadahunsi, on his part, was captured in a video allegedly threatening members of the Accord Party.
Iniedu said the police were investigating all the reported comments and would make the findings public.
“Every inciting statement listed here is under investigation presently, and the outcome will be released. We want to also use this opportunity to advise and caution all political stakeholders to desist from such comments,” he said.
On the Osun governorship election, the police spokesman confirmed that 154 suspects arrested on the morning of the election were still being investigated.
He said, “Through the elections, as of the morning of the elections, we had arrested about 154 persons and they are presently being investigated.”
The Force appealed to members of the public who witnessed alleged offences or possessed relevant evidence to cooperate with investigators.
Iniedu identified the reluctance of witnesses to come forward as one of the challenges affecting successful prosecution of criminal cases.
He said, “The challenge we have in Nigeria right now is that most of our witnesses, those who have evidence to incidents, do not come forward when it is time to go to court.”
The spokesperson urged members of the public to provide information without fear, saying their cooperation would strengthen the prosecution of suspected offenders.
“I would refer to you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in the prosecution of these cases,” he added.
Meanwhile, the police have defended the use of force to disperse protesting pensioners in Lagos, saying retired workers have the right to demand their entitlements but must do so within the limits of the law.
Iniedu said the police recognised the sacrifices made by retired personnel and other senior citizens, noting that retirement was a stage every serving security officer looked forward to.
He said, “Every uniformed personnel looks forward to the day when he retires. It’s a peaceful thing to be called a senior citizen after serving your country meritoriously.”
However, he maintained that the right to protest did not extend to actions capable of disrupting public order.
“The Nigerian Constitution does not give the right to be disorderly in making your representation,” he stated.
According to him, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had twice invited representatives of the pensioners to his office and advised them on lawful channels for presenting their grievances.
He said some previous protests had allegedly involved breaches of restricted areas and the obstruction of major roads.
“If you will remember, the protesters breached the premises of the Villa in Abuja. Another blocked several highways in the Federal Capital Territory,” Iniedu said.
He added that the law empowered the police to use proportionate force when dealing with riotous gatherings.
“The law permits the Nigeria Police Force to use proportionate force in the quelling of any riotous gathering,” he said.
The police spokesman, however, appealed to the pensioners to continue pursuing their demands peacefully, assuring them that the police leadership remained supportive of their legitimate grievances.
“I want to use this platform to call on the pensioners to run their representations in an orderly manner,” he said.
