Gombe CP vows arrest, prosecution of political thugs

Gombe CP Chuso with heads of security agencies. Photo: Chima Azubuike

The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Chuso, has warned political party leaders against sponsoring thugs, engaging in political violence and destroying campaign billboards and posters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chuso said offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, regardless of their political affiliations.

The commissioner gave the warning on Thursday during a security stakeholders’ meeting with political party leaders and representatives at the Gombe State Police Command Headquarters.

The meeting was attended by the Director of the Department of State Services, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, members of the police management team and representatives of various political parties.

The police spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

While expressing concern over alleged violations of the peace accord previously signed by political stakeholders, Chuso cited incidents of political violence and the reported movement of youths wielding dangerous weapons during political activities.

He warned political parties against sponsoring or patronising thugs, stressing that no political ambition was worth the sacrifice of peace and security in the state.

“No political ambition is worth sacrificing the peace and security of Gombe State,” the commissioner cautioned.

He urged party leaders to rein in their candidates, supporters and youths, warning against violence, destruction of campaign materials, substance abuse and other activities capable of threatening public order.

The CP also urged political stakeholders to provide security agencies with credible and timely information about suspected thugs and other criminal elements.

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He disclosed that the command had put proactive security measures in place to prevent political violence and other security breaches ahead of the elections.

According to him, the meeting was convened to secure the cooperation of all stakeholders and ensure that security agencies were not caught unawares by emerging threats.

Chuso further reiterated the directives of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting individuals and political parties from unlawfully removing, destroying or defacing campaign billboards and posters belonging to other political parties.

He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face arrest and prosecution.

The commissioner assured political parties of the command’s impartiality and professionalism, pledging equal protection under the law irrespective of political affiliation.

Earlier, the DSS director and the NSCDC state commandant called for collective responsibility and sustained collaboration between political actors and security agencies.

They urged party leaders to discourage the use of thugs and ensure that their supporters conducted themselves peacefully throughout the electioneering period.

In their contributions, political party leaders commended the security agencies for sustaining peace in the state but called for fairness, impartiality and equal treatment of all parties in the enforcement of the law.

They also advocated increased youth sensitisation and accountability for individuals sponsoring political violence.

The police commissioner urged stakeholders to uphold the existing peace accord, promote political tolerance and ensure that their supporters shun violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections.