……Warns Against Breakdown Of Law And Order In Kano and ……
By Gbemiga Olamikan.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the duo of Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu for deliberately inciting violence in parts of Kano State as the service assures that it will not idly watch misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state.
The service therefore calls on the leadership of the said party to 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 18th March 2023, election.
This was contained in a statement signed by Public Relations Officer of the DSS , Dr Peter Afunaya early hours of today 16th, March 2023.
Afunaya said that “the suspects had separately recorded messages, which they shared through various social media channels”.
He said, “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 organised 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.”
However, Dr Afunaya disclosed that, the planned protest is illegal as the service alerts the public of this planned illegal action, and calls on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences.
He revealed that, the Service is collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that, adequate security is provided for a successful electoral exercise.
Dr Afunaya noted that aside Kano, the Service recently arrested similar subversive elements that threatened violence in other States of the Federation.
He said, “It would be recalled that the service had on 8th March, 2023, enjoined politicians to engage constructively and shun violence, fake news and hate speech”.
The service therefore, reiterates the call for political players to abide by the letters of the electoral act and guidelines. Afunaya said, “all and sundry are advised to positively contribute to the sustenance of peace and democracy in Nigeria”.
