The Sokoto State Police Command has reiterated its warning of the general public in Sokoto state, especially supporters of political parties “to desist from getting involved in actions that are totally repugnant to natural justice, equity and law conscience.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammed Usaini Gumel issued the warning during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Sokoto on Wednesday.
“The state police command is reiterating its position that it will never tolerate a situation where persons and/or groups take laws into their hands to champion anarchy. Those in the category of peddling fake news, hate speech and all forms of false narratives as basis to ignite violence or abyss the people against the present or incoming administration in the State are advised to stop forthwith.
“Those inciting violence have nothing to gain as doing so will not only consume them, so also the innocent ones. This, to say the least, does not augur well for peaceful coexistence and general order.
“Residents of this state are assured of enjoying a safe and secure life after the general elections as the police command has put in place necessary measures to checkmate these elements and is fully determined to keep arresting all trouble makers who will be will be treated as common criminals to be brought to justice,” CP Gumel stated.
The Commissioner listed some of the places where security beaches were recorded, including in Gwadabawa, Sokoto North, Tureta local governments, and Sokoto metropolis, adding that the culprits had been arrested and were being investigated.
Read the statement below:
You may recall that Sokoto State Police Command during the last press release issued statement saying that no fewer than 79 suspects were arrested by the security agencies in the state during the March 18 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections and that, those arrested were persons that violated the movement restrictions order and committed other offences that contravened the Electoral Act such as engaging in vote buying, destruction of ballot boxes, thuggery, threats and inciting public disturbances at polling units, among others. Let me assure you that all these electoral offenders were fully investigated and already transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for prosecution. However, others that contravened the penal code have been charged to court by the Police. There are others that are still under investigation and will be prosecuted at the conclusion of investigation.
It’s on this note that the police command urged the public to be wary of allowing themselves from getting involved in any action that violates the law and to keep prevailing on their loved ones or their political party affiliates from getting involved in actions that are totally repugnant to natural justice, equity and law conscience.
On this note, I will like to use this opportunity to inform members of the public in the state that the command in conjunction of other action agencies are closely sustaining vigilance and taking actions on some disgruntled elements in the society who are taking advantage of the recent elections victories and losses by engaging on crimes likely to cause disruption of the peace being enjoyed in the state.
The police command hereby warn those desperate in engaging on crimes such as threats, direct or indirect including causing grievous harm, criminal intimidation, extortion, looting, arsons, mischief or head-bent to cause a breakdown of law and order to desist from that. Examples of such disturbing incidents among others include:
1. TURETA LGA:
(a) A Case of Criminal Conspiracy and Causing Hurt*: The case was reported on the 24/03/2023 at about 1000hrs at Tureta Police Division, where one Abu Ango Tureta, a victim stated that on 21/03/2023 at about 1630hrs they were attacked while on celebration rally for the Gubernatorial election victory at a point around ‘Yar kofa area near one Dan Shehu house by one Mustapha Bello alongside crowd of other people who are now at large where they pelted stones on them. As a result of which the complainant fell down unconscious. He was subsequently rushed to the specialist hospital where Skull X-ray and stitches were conducted on him as a result of severe injuries. The said suspect Mustapha Bello was arrested and the case is under investigation at SCID with the view to arrest other fleeing suspects.
(b) Causing Hurt: On 21/03/2023 at about 1740hrs, it was reported while some party supporters in Tureta township came out for celebration rally, unfortunately, fight ensued with the losers’ side at kasuwar ‘yar kofa in Turata. Both parties threw stone to each other during which one Inno Sani ‘F’ of 45 years of age who was attracted by the noise and went out to look after her children but noticed that some of the celebrants were stoning one of her son, one Saminu Sani. In an attempt to rescue him however, one lawali Danhajo used catapult and stone and injured her on her right eye. The police at the Divisional HQ in a swift reaction arrested the suspect. Case was investigated and charged to court.
2. SOKOTO NORTH: Attempt to commit an offence to wit Criminal Intimidation and Culpable Homicide: On 25/03/2023 at about 1500hrs, one Alh. Abdullahi Mijinyawa, resident of Kofar Kade area and a business man at Kara market complained that while he was at his business location, one Salmanu Yusuf came with a sharp cutlass, harassed him for not supporting his party and threatened to kill him. It was the bystanders at the market that saved him and the suspect was subsequently arrested by the police. Currently, the case of attempted culpable homicide is been investigated and charged to court.
3. GWADABAWA LG: Criminal Conspiracy, Causing Hurt and Theft: On 22/03/2023 at about 1600hrs, one Bashiru Musa of Tawayawa village in Gwadabawa LG reported that when he returned home from errand, some political parties thugs numbering about 30 followed him to his House, attacked and injured him. They in addition stole away his valuables which includes his Techno Mobile Phone valued at #31,500. Two suspects were arrested namely: Anas Dan Maisisi and Bello Ahade. The case have been investigated and charged to court.
4. SOKOTO METROPOLIS: Criminal Conspiracy, mischief and Causing Hurt and theft: On 20/03/2023 at about 1845hrs, some Political thugs attacked one Dr. Mu’azu Zabira at his Shop located at Gawon Nama Area with Dangerous Weapons. The victim said that although he narrowly escaped from being lynched by the thugs, they succeeded in destroying window glasses, local pots, his car windscreen and his two mobile phones, cap and 50 kg of foreign rice were stolen. However, the victim however reported that he’s suspecting one Maryam Dimas and Farouk Fko that hired the thugs due to their political differences. Investigation is however in progress to get to the root causes and to identify the culprits that attacked the victim.
For avoidance of doubt, we are calling on any person who is a victim of such persecution to report to the police command and never to take law into his or her hand or engage in reprisal. It’s by doing so that members of the public should be seen cooperating and giving the police the enabling grounds for him or her to be assured of being properly attended to. This reminds members of the public that the police command’s Special Investigation Team recently inaugurated before the election is still existing and is being conducting speedy and seamless investigation.
The state police command is therefore reiterating its position on never to tolerate a situation where persons and/or groups take laws into their hands to champion anarchy. Furthermore, those who are in the category of peddling fake news, hate speech and all forms of false narratives as basis to ignite violence or abyss the people against the present or incoming administration in the State are advised to stop forthwith. Those inciting violence have nothing to gain as doing so will not only consume them, so also the innocent ones. This, to say the least, does not augur well for peaceful coexistence and general order. Residents of this state are on this note assured of enjoying a safe and secure life after the general elections as the police command has put in place necessary measures to checkmate these elements and is fully determined to keep arresting all trouble makers who will be will be treated as common criminals to be brought to justice.
Finally, the Command is assuring the law abiding people of the state of its preparedness to provide the best form of security for the forthcoming supplementary elections slated to take place on 15/04/2023 and require the stakeholders to cooperate with the security officials with high degree of honesty for the sustenance of the peace.
Members of the press, ladies and gentlemen along with this press release are English and Hausa versions audio jingle and I’m prevailing on all the media houses in this state to kindly do the broadcast as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Thank you for listening!
