Police Go After Hoodlums Destroying Campaign Billboards, Posters In Niger

Following reported cases of deliberate destruction and damage of political campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to political parties and candidates in Niger State, the police have vowed to arrest and prosecute offenders.

LEADERSHIP observed an upsurge in such cases, especially in urban centres, where thugs organised themselves to destroy opponents’ posters and billboards for their preferred candidates.

It was also observed that the situation has forced political parties and candidates to pay some of the hoodlums a certain amount of money in order not to destroy their campaign posters and billboards

Speaking on this yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Wasiu Abiodun SP, said, “The Niger State Police Command has observed the growing incidents of deliberate destruction and damage of political campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to political parties and candidates within the State, as well as attacks on political parties’ members during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections”

“The Police Command condemns these acts of political intolerance and hereby warns members of the public, political supporters. miscreants and hoodlums engaging in these acts of criminality to immediately desist, as the Command will no longer tolerate such unlawful action,” the PPRO declared.

According to him, it is important to note that destroying, defacing, damaging or unlawfully removing a candidate’s campaign poster and billboard constitutes an offence of mischief/malicious damage under the law, and anyone who acts in a disorderly manner during any political gathering or disrupts any lawful political rally/procession or incites others to act in a disorderly manner or carries offensive weapons at a political rally also commits an offence against the Electoral Act.

Consequently, he added that the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police officers to monitor and keenly observe political activities, parties’ billboards, posters and banners towards preventing such acts, and where it occurs, investigate and ensure that persons found culpable are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He further reiterates that any political sponsor or individual who recruits, encourages, or facilitates these criminal acts would likewise be held accountable where evidence establishes their involvement, noting that all political parties and candidates are entitled to protection under the law.

The Police Spokesman therefore called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves and their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others, as the Police and other security agencies would not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the State’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness.