News Investigators/ The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa has called on security agencies to investigate the violence that disrupted its presidential campaign rally in Lafia and prosecute those responsible.
Aliyu Bello, State APC Chairman, made the call on Monday during a peaceful protest by the party and its supporters to the Nasarawa Police Command and Government House, Lafia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally, held on Nov. 4, was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Bello said the protest was aimed at expressing the party’s displeasure over alleged repeated attacks on its members and promoting peaceful political activities in the state.
“We are here to convey a message of peace, a message of togetherness and a message of decent politics. We have witnessed a lot of attacks on our members,” he said.
He described the violence at the presidential campaign rally as embarrassing and unacceptable.
“We came here to demand justice, that a full-scale investigation should be carried out and the perpetrators of this act should be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Bello said APC supporters remained committed to peaceful and orderly political activities but urged security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
He, however, warned against continued attacks on party members without appropriate action by security agencies.
Responding, Mr Gaya Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, assured the protesters of the command’s neutrality.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has made it clear that the police are neutral, and we will continue to maintain that neutrality,” Ahmed said.
He said the police would investigate all complaints properly channelled to the command and ensure that anyone found culpable was arrested and prosecuted.
Ahmed said the command would not treat anyone as being above the law, adding that the protesters’ complaints would be presented to the incoming Commissioner of Police.
Also addressing the protesters, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the incident at the presidential rally as unfortunate and a disgrace to humanity, the state and constituted authority.
“What happened on Wednesday was rather unfortunate; that citizens of the state can be associated with such kind of thuggery and misbehaviour by some of our youths is something that Nasarawa State is not known for,” Akabe said.
He said peace was essential for development, adding that President Tinubu consistently advocated peaceful coexistence.
Akabe said Sule had prioritised security since assuming office in 2019, a commitment he said had contributed to making Nasarawa one of the most peaceful states in the country.
He, however, said security personnel were expected to do more to prevent the breakdown of law and order, particularly as they had been adequately briefed ahead of the rally.
“The responsibility of security men is to protect lives and property. If you cannot protect lives and property, then a lot needs to be answered,” he said.
Akabe disclosed that the State Emergency Security Council had met over the incident and taken some resolutions, adding that the governor had also taken action.
NAN