2027: A’Ibom police warn thugs as Uyo gets show of force

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has warned political thugs, sponsors of violence and other troublemakers against disrupting the peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The warning followed a show-of-force and confidence-building operation conducted by the command in Uyo, on Monday as part of measures to strengthen security ahead of the elections.

Police personnel, patrol vehicles and other operational assets were deployed along major roads, strategic locations and other areas within the metropolis during the exercise.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the operation was intended to demonstrate the command’s readiness to prevent violence and protect residents, political parties and other stakeholders as political activities intensify.

Azare said the police would rely on intelligence gathering, preventive policing, strategic deployment, stakeholder engagement and sustained visibility operations to safeguard the state before, during and after the elections.

He assured political parties, candidates and residents that the command would remain professional, neutral and non-partisan while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to participate in political activities without intimidation.

The commissioner, however, warned that anyone who resorts to violence, thuggery, intimidation or other criminal acts would face the law.

“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 cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be recruited or manipulated for political violence, urging them to reject the use of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

Azare also warned against attacks on political opponents, destruction or defacement of campaign materials, hate speech, threats, intimidation and attempts to disrupt lawful political activities.

He urged political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and notify the police ahead of rallies, processions and other major events to allow for adequate security and traffic arrangements.

Speaking on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said members of the public should remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, movement of weapons or planned acts of political violence to the nearest police formation.

John said the show of force would not be a one-off exercise, adding that the command would sustain intelligence-led patrols, strategic deployments and other preventive operations in the state as the political season progresses.

The command also said it would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, other security agencies, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, youth organisations, the media and the public to maintain peace throughout the electoral period.