Makurdi. – The Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, has issued a stern warning to political parties, their candidates and supporters in Benue State against the recruitment and use of political thugs, cult groups and other criminal elements during electioneering campaigns.
CP Nwadiogbu gave the warning on Wednesday during a strategic meeting with chairmen of political parties, candidates, representatives of sister security agencies and other key election stakeholders at a peace accord signing ceremony held at the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the police commissioner charged politicians to conduct their political activities in a peaceful, lawful and violence-free manner.
*Benue Peace Accord Aimed at Violence-Free Elections*
The Benue Commissioner of Police said the peace accord initiative was convened by the Command to promote peaceful political activities and sustain the prevailing security and stability across the 23 local government areas of Benue State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the Command would not tolerate any act capable of breaching public peace, intimidating opponents or disrupting lawful political gatherings under any guise.
Addressing the gathering, the statement quoted CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, psc(+), mnips, PhD, as urging political leaders and candidates to call their supporters to order and ensure that they conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the campaign period.
“He particularly warned against the recruitment or use of political thugs, cult groups and other criminal elements to intimidate opponents or disrupt lawful political activities,” the statement read in part.
The police boss noted that the use of thugs and cultists has been a major driver of electoral violence, ballot box snatching, and voter apathy in previous elections in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria, and the Command is determined to break that cycle.
*Political Parties Sign Peace Accord in Makurdi*
The statement disclosed that the highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Peace Accord by participating political parties and their candidates in Benue State.
By signing the accord, the parties signified their collective commitment to reject all forms of political violence, respect the rights of other political actors, shun hate speech and fake news, and cooperate fully with security agencies in maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.
The stakeholders present also reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful campaigns, respect for the rule of law, protection of lives and property, and strict adherence to the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
*Police Will Remain Impartial, Provide Security For All Parties*
CP Nwadiogbu assured all political parties and candidates in Benue State that the Police Command would remain professional, impartial, neutral and committed to providing adequate security for all lawful political activities, including rallies, campaigns, town hall meetings and door-to-door sensitization.
He said the Benue State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army and other sister agencies, has put in place robust security architecture to guarantee safety before, during and after the elections.
He, however, urged politicians and their parties to maintain effective and timely communication with the Police and other security agencies, especially with respect to planned rallies, campaigns and other major political activities, to enable adequate deployment of personnel.
This, he said, is in line with standard practice and necessary to prevent clashes of political events and to avoid breakdown of law and order.
*Benue Police Call For Compliance*
“The Command therefore calls on all political leaders, candidates, supporters and the general public to uphold the spirit of the Peace Accord and work collectively towards peaceful and credible political activities in Benue State,” the statement added.
The Benue Police Command also advised parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against being used as political thugs, noting that anyone arrested for electoral violence, cultism, or unlawful possession of firearms would be made to face the full wrath of the law regardless of political affiliation.
Political observers in Benue State have described the peace accord meeting as timely, given the history of politically-motivated clashes in parts of the state including Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, security agencies in Benue State say they have intensified intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify flashpoints and neutralize potential threats.
The Benue State Police Command said it will continue to engage stakeholders across the state to ensure that Benue remains peaceful and that the forthcoming elections are free, fair, credible and devoid of violence.
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*Tags:* Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, Benue Police, Benue Politics, Peace Accord, 2027 Elections, Makurdi
