Political thugs will be decisively dealt with  — Police

The Police Command in Lagos State has vowed to deal decisively with anyone involved in thuggery before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.

The warning was given by the Command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in response to a claim that some politicians were cultivating thugs in advance of the elections, during an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to Hundeyin, any individual or group of individuals discovered inciting problems in the state under whatever pretext will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“What we know is that anybody who foments trouble before, during and after the elections will be decisively dealt with, irrespective of the group and party the fellow belongs to.

“We don’t care who the person may be, as long as you cause trouble in Lagos state, the police will come for your arrest,” he added.

Recall that political parties and their candidates had agreed to hold elections and campaigns in the state and across the nation in a peaceful manner.

At the federal level, the agreement was signed by a number of contenders, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Also, Mr Omoyele Sowore of African Action Congress, Mr Hamzat Al-Mustapha of Action Alliance, Mr Sunday Adenuga of Boot Party and the only female candidate in the race, Mrs Chichi Ojei of Allied Peoples Movement signed the accord.

Others are Christopher Imumolen of Accord Party; Yabagi Sani of Action Democratic Party, Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress and Dan Nwanyanwu of Zenith Labour Party.

The candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was represented by his running mate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.