Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, have arrested 12 persons suspected to be among those who attacked the supporters of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The State Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, stated this on Wednesday during a meeting with political parties and their candidates in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that three Atiku’s supporters were reportedly attacked with machetes while they were posting the former vice president’s campaign posters at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government area of the state.
Effiong noted that the suspects were being interrogated and those found culpable among them would be arraigned in court and be made to face the law.
The police boss warned politicians against use of thugs, saying that no political thuggery or violence would be tolerated in the state during the 2023 general election campaign.
Specifically, CP Effiong warned against any form of violence and disruption of political rallies or billboards during the campaign for the 2023 general elections, and therefore called on the candidates and leaders of political parties who were in attendance in the meeting to advise their supporters not to indulge in any form of violence as lawbreakers must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He added that the meeting with the political parties at the state capital would also take place in Area Commands and Divisions across the state.
The CP, who urged the politicians to commit to a peaceful election, warned that any form of disruption of political campaigns in the state would not be tolerated.