The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigations into alleged inciting comments made by the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba; the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo; and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District.
The police said the alleged comments, particularly those relating to political activities and the electoral process, were being investigated, warning political actors against making statements capable of inciting members of the public.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a joint security spokespersons’ briefing in Abuja while responding to questions on the recent Osun State governorship election and controversial statements attributed to some political figures.
Iniedu said incitement, particularly in relation to elections, constituted a criminal offence and stressed that the police would enforce the law irrespective of the status or political affiliation of those involved.
“On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State,” he said.
“The law is very clear when it comes to incitement. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.”
He added that the police would not shy away from their responsibility to maintain law and order.
“The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order, and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored,” Iniedu said.
The Force spokesperson said all the alleged inciting statements involving the three political figures were currently under investigation and that the outcome would be made 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 added.
The investigation follows controversy surrounding remarks allegedly made by Buba in relation to the 2027 general election.
The Borno commissioner was reported to have made comments suggesting that residents who refused to support the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming election could face punishment.
Similarly, Shekwolo was reported to have warned residents of Kuje Area Council that they should either support the APC in the 2027 elections or leave the council.
Senator Fadahunsi is also being investigated over comments allegedly directed at members of the Accord Party during the build-up to the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The police spokesperson confirmed that Fadahunsi had been questioned over the alleged threat.
The investigation into the senator follows earlier legal and public concerns over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard making threats against members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
The Osun State Government had, before the election, sought a police investigation into the alleged statements, while a magistrate in Abuja also directed the police to investigate a criminal complaint filed against the senator over the controversy.
The police, meanwhile, disclosed that 154 persons arrested in connection with various alleged offences during the August 15 Osun State governorship election were still undergoing investigation.
“I want to confirm that through the elections, as of the morning of the elections, we had arrested about 154 persons and they are presently being investigated,” Iniedu said.
He appealed to members of the public and potential witnesses to cooperate with investigators by providing information and evidence required for the successful prosecution of criminal cases.
According to him, the reluctance of witnesses to come forward and testify remained one of the major challenges confronting law enforcement agencies in securing convictions.
“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,” he said.
The police spokesperson urged Nigerians with relevant information and evidence to cooperate with investigators without fear, saying such assistance would strengthen the prosecution of suspects found to have committed criminal offences.
The development comes amid growing concerns over inflammatory political rhetoric as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, with the police reiterating its warning that political actors must conduct their activities within the limits of the law.
