Police threaten to prosecute these destroying marketing campaign posters, billboards

The police have warned politicians and their supporters in opposition to destruction of marketing campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to rival candidates forward of the 2027 common elections.

The police mentioned Wednesday that it had noticed rising incidents of deliberate tearing, defacement and destruction of marketing campaign supplies throughout the nation. The perpetrators shall be arrested and prosecuted, the police mentioned.

In an announcement issued on November 4, police spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, mentioned the observe constituted political intolerance and urged these concerned to desist instantly.

The police mentioned the destruction, defacement or illegal elimination of one other candidate’s marketing campaign supplies may represent malicious harm, a legal offence beneath relevant legal guidelines, together with Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law.

“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 assertion learn.

The police reiterated that each one political events and candidates, no matter their affiliations or standing, had been entitled to equal safety beneath the regulation.

They added that no particular person or group had the best to find out whose marketing campaign supplies ought to be displayed or destroyed.

The assertion mentioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, directed commissioners of police within the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive measures to forestall such incidents, examine reported circumstances, and guarantee suspects are arrested and prosecuted.

The police additionally warned that political sponsors and people who recruit, encourage or facilitate the destruction of marketing campaign supplies can be held accountable the place proof established their involvement.