The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigations into alleged inciting comments attributed to Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba; Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo; and Senator Francis Fadahunsi representing Osun East.
The Force also disclosed that 154 people arrested during the August 15 Osun State governorship election remain under investigation.
Speaking at a joint security spokespersons’ briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Force spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, said making inciting statements, particularly those capable of influencing the electoral process, constituted a criminal offence.
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Iniedu said the police had already questioned Fadahunsi over an alleged threat against members of the Accord Party, stressing that the Force would not hesitate to act against anyone found to have violated the law.
He said all the controversial statements attributed to the three political actors were currently being investigated, adding that the findings would be made public.
The police spokesperson also warned political stakeholders against making statements capable of inflaming tensions or disrupting public order ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The investigations followed controversial remarks attributed to Buba, who was reportedly heard threatening to flog residents who refused to support the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
Shekwolo was also reported to have warned residents of Kuje Area Council to support the APC in 2027 or leave the area.
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Fadahunsi, meanwhile, was captured in a video allegedly making threats against members of the Accord Party.
154 Arrested Over Osun Election
On the August 15 Osun governorship election, the police confirmed that 154 suspects arrested as of the morning of the election were still being investigated.
Iniedu urged members of the public with relevant information or evidence to cooperate with investigators, noting that the reluctance of witnesses to come forward remained a major obstacle to successful prosecution of criminal cases.
He appealed to witnesses to provide evidence without fear, saying their cooperation would assist investigators and prosecutors in building cases against suspected offenders.
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Police Defend Action Against Lagos Pensioners
Meanwhile, the Force defended the use of force by police officers against protesting pensioners in Lagos, saying retirees had the constitutional right to demand their entitlements but must do so within the limits of the law.
Iniedu said the police recognised the concerns of pensioners and acknowledged that every serving officer would eventually retire.
However, he maintained that the right to protest did not extend to disorderly conduct, obstruction of public roads or breaches of public order.
According to him, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had invited the pensioners to his office on two occasions and advised them on lawful channels for presenting their grievances.
He also cited previous incidents in which protesters allegedly breached the premises of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and blocked major highways in the FCT.
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The spokesperson said the law permitted the police to use proportionate force when dealing with riotous gatherings.
He nevertheless appealed to the pensioners to continue pursuing their demands peacefully, assuring them that the police leadership supported their right to present their grievances through lawful means.
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