DSS Arrests NNPP Supporters In Kano

Two supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were arrested in Kano State on Thursday by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The secret police spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday morning, explaining that the citizens were arrested for inciting violence in the build-up to the 2023 governorship election this Saturday, March 18th.

He revealed the identity of the NNPP supporters as Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’i Iliyasu Mangu.

According to Afunanya, DSS has deployed its operatives across other states of the federation to “track down any politician with the mindset of inciting violence ahead of March 18 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections”.

Speaking on the duo arrested, he said they were tracked down after they separately recorded inciting messages, which they shared through various social media channels.

Afunanya told Daily Trust that the security agency has obtained the inciting videos. He thereby called on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences.

He said: “In those potentially harmful messages, they specifically championed certain political interests and directly called on their supporters to violently attack those opposed to them, including security personnel during the 18th March, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly election in the State.

“As a result of this development, a particular political party in Kano has threatened to organise protest march in the metropolis as well as storm offices of some of the security agencies on 16th March, 2023 in solidarity for the suspects.”

The DSS spokesman stressed that the secret police would not idly watch “misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state”.

He asked the leadership of the party to rein in its members and urge them to desist from conducts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Kano and its environs before, during and after the scheduled election.

“Aside Kano, the service recently arrested similar subversive elements that threatened violence in other States of the Federation. It would be recalled that it had on 8th March, 2023, enjoined politicians to engage constructively and shun violence, fake news and hate speech,” Afunanya noted.

He called on the political players to abide by the letters of the electoral Act and guidelines, adding that all and sundry are advised to positively contribute to sustaining peace and democracy in Nigeria.