Police in Kwara State are worried over the increasing wave of political violence ahead of the forthcoming elections in the State, revealing that the force had intercepted a truck load of 108, 806 live cartridges at Kosubosu in Baruten Local Government Area and a large cache of arms and Ak-47 rifles in Ilorin, the state’s capital.
Addressing politicians in the state on Monday, the Kwara State Police Command urged them to desist from engaging in political crisis or face the full wrath of the law.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Salihu Garba, while addressing politicians said political thuggery had increased in the State, warning that it does not augur well for peaceful co-existence.
The police boss further warned of zero tolerance for political thuggery and urged politicians to eschew violence by warning their members in order not to incur the full wrath of the law.
“Intelligence gathered by the Kwara State Police Command so far revealed a great increase in the rate of political thuggery and hooliganism in the ongoing electioneering period in the state, resulting into various forms of attacks on political opponents, destruction of political opponents’ property and posters as well as billboards and other allied offences associated with political violence which is alien to the State in the past, as the State is known for its harmonious nature,” he said.
Candidates and representatives of political parties in attendance, however, made a commitment to promoting peace in a declaration to maintain peace and also encourage their supporters to do same.
