Police have launched a critical probe into the alleged inciting comments made by the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba.
Police also said the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo and the Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, are also currently being for similar offence.
Police action followed some controversial remarks attributed to Buba, who reportedly threatened to flog residents, and cut off the hands of people, who refused to support the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, Shekwolo had warned residents of Kuje Area Council in Abuja to either vote for the APC in 2027 or leave the council.
Also, ahead of the recent Osun governorship election, Fadahunsi was captured in a viral video allegedly threatening members of the Accord Party.
Force Public Relations Officer, Aniete Iniedu, at a joint security spokesmen briefing in Abuja, on Tuesday, described the politicians’ inciting comments, particularly concerning the electoral process, as “a criminal offence”.
Iniedu, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who was addressing issues surrounding the conduct of the August 15 Osun governorship election and recent controversial statements by political actors, said the police had questioned Fadahunsi over his alleged threat against members of the Accord Party.
According to him, “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.
“The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.
“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.”
Police spokesman assured that all the alleged inciting statements by the political actors were being investigated, adding that the outcome would be made public.
“Every insightful 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 said.
Police also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the investigators by providing statements and evidence needed to prosecute suspected offenders.
The FPRO identified the reluctance of witnesses to come forward as one of the major challenges confronting criminal prosecution in the country.
He said, “One of the challenges I must tell you now that we have, the law states that a case is made when there are two or three witnesses. He who alleges must prove his allegations.
“The challenge we have in Nigeria right now is that most of our witnesses are those who have evidence to the incident, and do not come forward when it is time to go to court.”
Aniedu urged members of the public to provide information and evidence without fear, saying their cooperation would assist the police and prosecutors in securing convictions.
“I would refer to you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in prosecution of these cases,” he said.
