-
Police stage a major show of force across Uyo ahead of the 2027 elections.
-
Political parties and groups must notify the Police ahead of rallies, processions and major gatherings.
-
CP Azare vows decisive action against thuggery, violence, weapons possession and disruption of lawful political activities.
August 31, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom Police Command has warned political thugs and troublemakers against disrupting the peace of the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that anyone who engages in violence, intimidation or other criminal activities will face the full weight of the law.
The warning came as the Command conducted a major show of force and confidence-building operation across Uyo, the state capital, on Monday as part of measures to strengthen security and deter political violence ahead of the elections.
The exercise involved the deployment of police personnel, patrol vehicles and other operational assets across major roads, strategic locations and identified areas within the metropolis.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, said the operation was designed to demonstrate the Command’s preparedness and operational capacity while reassuring residents, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders that the Police would protect the electoral process and maintain peace throughout the electioneering period.
Azare said the Command would not wait for violence to occur before taking preventive action, noting that intelligence gathering, strategic deployment, stakeholder engagement, preventive policing and sustained visibility operations would form the core of its security strategy as political activities intensify.
The Commissioner warned political thugs, sponsors of violence and other troublemakers against attempting to exploit the political season to cause disorder.
“Akwa Ibom State belongs to all of us, and no political ambition is worth the blood or life of any citizen. The Police will protect the electoral process and the rights of every law-abiding person, but anyone who chooses violence, intimidation, thuggery or criminality should be prepared to face the full consequences of the law”, Azare warned.
He particularly urged youths not to allow themselves to be recruited, armed or manipulated for political violence, stressing that their future was more important than political thuggery.
The CP also warned against unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons, attacks on political opponents, destruction or defacement of campaign materials, hate speech, threats, intimidation and attempts to prevent lawful political activities.
In a related directive, the Command reminded political parties, support groups, associations and other organisations planning rallies, processions, campaigns, meetings or other large political gatherings to formally notify the Police ahead of such activities.
According to the Command, prior notification would enable the Police to coordinate security, manage traffic and prevent clashes that could arise when rival groups schedule activities at the same venue, route, date or time.
Organisers are expected to provide details including the date, time, venue, expected number of participants and proposed routes where applicable.
Azare stressed that the requirement was not intended to prevent or frustrate lawful political activities but to ensure that the rights and safety of one political group did not interfere with those of others.
READ ALSO:
He further assured all political parties and groups of the Command’s neutrality and impartiality, saying the Police would provide a level playing field for all political actors irrespective of political affiliation.
The Commissioner directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders across the state to intensify intelligence gathering and maintain adequate security around political activities and other public gatherings.
The Command also warned that it would take firm and lawful action against anyone found carrying offensive weapons, fomenting trouble, intimidating opponents, destroying property, unlawfully blocking public roads, provoking rival groups or committing acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The Police said the Uyo show of force would not be a one-off exercise, adding that intelligence-led patrols, raids, confidence-building operations and strategic deployments would be sustained and extended to other parts of the state as circumstances demand.
The Command called on political leaders to caution their supporters and cooperate with security agencies, while urging members of the public to report suspicious activities, movement of weapons and planned acts of political violence to the nearest police formation.
