Election campaigns: Police prosecute 200 in Sokoto for various offences

THE Police Commissioner in Sokoto State, Mr Murtala Mani has said no fewer than 200 persons have been arrested and are being prosecuted for various offences committed during the ongoing 2019 elections campaign in the state.

Mani disclosed this on Wednesday at the commencement of Senatorial districts voter education and sensitisation, organised by National Orientation Agency, NOA in the state.

The commissioner was represented by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations in the command, Mr Ishola Babaita.

Mani said the offences comprised unlawful destruction of billboards, incitement, possession of dangerous weapons and others.

He said that the command had put in place strategies to ensure peaceful coexistence before, during and after the elections, while appealing to the public to assist the police in the process.

According to him, the police conduct periodic sensitisation which involves all stakeholders and key players, as well as partners, with sister security agencies and community leaders.

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He expressed concern over the involvement of politicians in violence and unrest across the state, warning that the law would catch up with anybody, irrespective of status and political affiliation.

In a remark, the Director of NOA, Mr Maude Danchadi, cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of vote buying, election apathy and violence.

Danchadi said the programme was organised to enlighten the people, especially at the grassroots, on the importance of exercising their civic responsibilities.

He said it was also to encourage political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to abide by rules and guidelines.

“NOA is determined to ensure that eligible voters are sensitised and mobilised to actively participate in the upcoming 2019 general elections.

“We are also determined to ensure that candidates and electorate are sufficiently guided to ensure that they operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.

A representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, said 51 political parties out of the 91 registered political parties are fielding candidates in the state.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said the programme was timely and enjoined stakeholders to educate others in their respective settlements.

Abubakar, who was represented by Chiroman Sokoto, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar III, urged politicians not to consider politics as a do or die affair.

He cautioned politicians against using other people’s children as political thugs.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that representatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Immigration Service and Prison Service delivered lectures on their respective roles to ensure a hitch-free election process.