By Joy Baba with agency report
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, has warned politicians and those in the habit of making unguarded, inflammatory and unsubstantiated utterances to desist or be sanctioned.
The warning is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, on Sunday in Abuja.
Abubakar said the Force would no longer condone any provocative, divisive and inciting comments that were not clearly corroborated by facts or evidential proof.
He added that such utterances were capable of breaching public peace.
“Such statements are capable of desecrating our national symbol and identity and promoting a regime of lawlessness,’’ he said, warning that such utterances would be met with appropriate legal sanctions.
The police chief said “just as the Force is not ignorant of the fundamental rights of citizens, such as the rights to freedom of speech, it will not condone any provocative, divisive and inciting comments.’’
The I-G urged Nigerians to emulate former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and others who boldly took a firm stand against terrorism.
According to him, the present times call for such courage and uncommon patriotism from all opinion leaders.
He added that the unrelenting war against terrorism and other related crimes must be won with the cooperation of all Nigerians.
It could be recalled that politicians and their supporters across the country have been making utterances considered inimical to the corporate existence of the country.
Only recently, Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, alleged that the activities of the insurgents in the northern part of the country were ploys employed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to commit genocide.
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