The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested two men, Sharu Tabula and Isma’il Mangu, for deliberately inciting violence in parts of Kano State. According to the DSS, the suspects recorded harmful messages and disseminated them through various social‑media platforms. In those messages, they championed certain political interests and directly urged their supporters to violently attack opponents, including security personnel, during Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
The agency also disclosed that it was aware of plans by a political party to organise solidarity protests for the suspects in Kano and to storm the offices of some security agencies on Thursday. This information was contained in a statement signed by DSS Public Relations Officer Peter Afunanya and released to journalists on Thursday. “While the service alerts the public of this planned illegal action, it calls on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences. The DSS assures that it will not idly watch misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state,” the statement read.
“The leadership of the said party should rein in its members and urge them to desist from conduct capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Kano and its environs before, during and after the scheduled election. Meanwhile, the service is collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that adequate security is provided for a successful electoral exercise,” the statement continued.
The DSS noted that, aside from Kano, it has recently arrested similar subversive elements threatening violence in other states of the federation. The security outfit recalled that on 8 March 2023 it urged politicians to engage constructively and to shun violence, fake news, and hate speech. It reiterated the call for political players to abide by the letters of the Electoral Act and related guidelines. “All and sundry are advised to positively contribute to the sustenance of peace and democracy in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
Comments are closed for this story.