Two of the supporters of Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, have been arrested bu the operatives of the Department of State Services.
They were nabbed for allegedly inciting violence in Kano State.
The secret police has also deployed its crack detectives to other states of the federation to “track down any politician with the mindset of inciting violence ahead of March 18 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections”.
The spokesman of the secret police, Peter Afunanya, who disclosed this Thursday morning, explained that the duo of Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu, were tracked down after the suspects had separately messages recorded inciting messages, which they shared through various social media channels.
Afunanya, who also shared the inciting video with Daily Trust, called on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences.
He added, “In those potentially harmful messages, they specifically championed certain political interests and directly called on their supporters to violently attack those opposed to them, including security personnel during the 18th March, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly election in the State.
“As a result of this development, a particular political party in Kano has threatened to organise protest march in the metropolis as well as storm offices of some of the security agencies on 16th March, 2023 in solidarity for the suspects.”
The DSS spokesman stressed that the secret police will not idly watch “misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state”.
According to him, the leadership of the said party should rein in its members and urge them to desist from conducts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Kano and its environs before, during and after the scheduled election.
He further stated, “Meanwhile, the Service is collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that adequate security is provided for a successful electoral exercise.
“Aside Kano, the service recently arrested similar subversive elements that threatened violence in other States of the Federation. It would be recalled that it had on 8th March, 2023, enjoined politicians to engage constructively and shun violence, fake news and hate speech.”
He called on the political players to abide by the letters of the electoral Act and guidelines, adding that all and sundry are advised to positively contribute to the sustenance of peace and democracy in Nigeria.