The Nasarawa state governor Tanko Al-Makura has threatened to arrest and prosecute individuals or groups who engage in hate speech that are capable of violating the existing peace in the state.

Al-Makura made the position known when he received the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I and other traditional rulers of the state who paid him homage at the Government House in Lafia.

He said the warning became imperative in order to ensure sustenance of peace in the state and to check the activities of mischief makers who he believes are bent on inciting violence.

“Anybody caught making provocative statements that infringes on the rights of groups or individuals will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

Al-Makura called on those hiding under the guise of politics to incite the public to desist from such act or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

He added that government has the responsibility to ensure that such utterances do not give birth to unrest in the state.

“Government will not allow those hiding in the name politics to insult traditional rulers, individuals or group either on the social media or newspapers go unpunished”, he said.

He further urged the traditional rulers to caution their subjects against making reckless statements and called for support towards punishing disobedient and rebellious individuals and groups.

Al-Makura reiterated that the state has suffered enough crises and bloodletting and assured that the present administration would continue to work assiduously to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

He said his one of his priorities is to protect the rights of all citizens from infringements not minding their affiliation.