The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 10, AIG Bala Hassan, yesterday warned politicians against violence, saying any person caught with weapons during rallies or campaign venues would no longer be granted bail.
He added that henceforth, any person arrested with knife, cutlass or any other type of dangerous weapon would be charged to the court.
The AIG gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting with political party leaders in Sokoto on Thursday.
“We will not fold our arms and allow thugs to unleash terror and violence before and after the elections. Don’t come and beg us to release any one found with weapons. The country needs peace more than ever before. Let peace reign”, he said.
Mr. Hassan assured that while the police would provide a level-playing field for all political parties, it would be fair and firm.
In his remarks, the state police commissioner, Mr Salisu Fagge, also harped on the need for politicians to respect the rules and obey the laws and the Electoral Act.
He stressed the determination to ensure the conduct of violence-free campaigns and elections.
In their separate remarks, state secretaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Aminu Bello and Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu respectively, described the meeting as a welcome development.
They, however, urged the police to maintain neutrality and ensure equal and fair treatment of all political parties.
