Borno State Commissioner, Sainna Buba, Kuje APC Chairman, Danjuma Shekwolo and Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun Stte are now under police investigation over alleged inciting comments linked to political activities and the 2027 elections.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja on security issues surrounding the August 15 Osun State governorship election and recent statements by political actors.
The police said the comments attributed to the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, and Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, were being examined for possible violations of the law.
The Force also disclosed that 154 people arrested during the Osun governorship election were still being investigated.
Force spokesperson Ani Iniedu said the police had already questioned Fadahunsi over a statement in which he was alleged to have threatened members of the Accord Party.
He said the police would not ignore statements capable of provoking violence, particularly when they are made in connection with elections.
“On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments. I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State. The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.
“The Nigerian Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order, and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored.”
According to the police, the investigation covers all three cases. The Force said the outcome would be made public after the necessary investigative steps had been completed.
“Every insightful statement listed here is under investigation presently, and the outcome will be released. We want to also use this opportunity to advise and caution all political stakeholders to desist from such comments,” he added.
Buba became the centre of attention after a video circulated showing him making threatening remarks at an event organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a support group backing President Bola Tinubu.
In the video, the commissioner warned political opponents against confronting the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Whoever shows us a finger, we are ready to cut off his fingers… Whoever dares to show us a finger again, we will break his finger,” he declared.
Buba also said government benefits would favour those who supported the administration.
“The government is our government. Those who follow us will enjoy the honey; if you refuse, then you will be flogged.”
The police investigation also extends to Shekwolo, who reportedly told residents of Kuje Area Council that those unwilling to support the APC in 2027 should leave the area.
His comments attracted attention because of the constitutional right of citizens to freely choose their political parties and candidates.
Fadahunsi’s case is linked to a separate video in which he was allegedly heard making threatening remarks against members of the Accord Party.
The senator was subsequently questioned by the police as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the statement and whether it amounted to an offence.
The police did not announce any arrest or prosecution of the three political figures.
Instead, the Force said the allegations remained under investigation and that further action would depend on the outcome of the process.
Moreover, the Force also gave an update on arrests made during the Osun governorship election.
Iniedu said 154 people arrested as of the morning of the election remained under investigation.
“However, I want to confirm that through the elections, as of the morning of the elections, we had arrested about 154 persons and they are presently being investigated,” the police spokesperson said.
The arrests came as security agencies stepped up operations before and during the poll.
The election had attracted heightened security attention following concerns over political violence and other incidents recorded in the build-up to the exercise.
Earlier in June, the Osun Police Command had also launched investigations into separate shooting incidents in the state.
The police appealed to witnesses and members of the public who possess useful information to come forward.
Iniedu said the reluctance of witnesses to appear when cases reach court remains a major difficulty in criminal prosecution.
“One of the challenges I must tell you now that we have, the law states that a case is made when there are two or three witnesses. He who alleges must prove his allegations. The challenge we have in Nigeria right now is that most of our witnesses are those who have evidence to incident, do not come forward when it is time to go to court”, he said.
He therefore urged citizens to cooperate with investigators and provide evidence that could help establish the facts of cases.
“I would refer to you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in the prosecution of these cases.”
Nonetheless, the police spokesperson also addressed the controversy surrounding the use of force against pensioners protesting in Lagos.
He said the police recognised the right of retired personnel to demand their entitlements but insisted that protests must be conducted within the limits of the law.
Iniedu described retirement as a stage every serving uniformed officer looks forward to and said pensioners deserved to be treated with dignity.
“The unfortunate incident in Lagos where pensioners were being tear-gassed. Every uniformed personnel looks forward to the day when he retires. It’s a peaceful thing to be called a senior citizen after serving your country meritoriously. There is no aspect, whether serving or retiring. Officers in uniform have challenges as well as officers who have retired.”
He, however, said the right to protest did not extend to actions capable of disrupting public order.
“However, the Nigerian Constitution does not give the right to be disorderly in making your representation,” he said.
According to him, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu had met with the pensioners on two occasions and advised them on how to pursue their demands through lawful channels.
“I’m very aware that the Inspector-General of Police on two occasions called the pensioners to his office and guided them on relevant ways to take up their representation. We have had several breaches from them,” he said.
He recalled that some of the protesters had previously entered the premises of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and blocked major roads during their demonstrations.
“If you will remember, the protesters breached the premises of the Villa in Abuja. Another blocked several highways in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
The Force defended the use of proportionate force where a gathering becomes riotous or threatens public order.
“The law permits the Nigeria Police Force to use proportionate force in the quelling of any riotous gathering,” he stated.
The spokesperson nevertheless appealed to the pensioners to continue pursuing their demands peacefully.
“I want to use this platform to call on the pensioners to run their representations in an orderly manner. I want to assure them that the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force is behind them in the carrying out of these complaints and representations”.