The Sokoto State Police Command has met with chairmen of political parties and elected local government chairmen to discuss security challenges ahead of political campaigns and the forthcoming elections in the state
The meetings, held separately at the Command headquarters on Wednesday, brought together Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), other senior police officers and representatives of the political parties
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, said the engagements were aimed at strengthening collaboration among security agencies, political actors and local government authorities to ensure peaceful campaigns and elections
At the separate meeting with political parties, the commissioner warned politicians against making statements or engaging in activities capable of aggravating the security situation in the state
He urged political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully, respect the rules guiding the electoral process and avoid actions that could create tension or undermine public safety
Shaffa also called on the parties to cooperate with the police by providing timely information on potential threats and ensuring that their supporters did not engage in violence, intimidation or other acts capable of disrupting the elections
He said the police would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to create a secure environment for political activities, stressing that the responsibility for peaceful elections rested on all stakeholders
The commissioner further urged the local government chairmen to support security agencies in their respective areas, particularly through community engagement, intelligence gathering and the identification of criminal elements
Addressing local government chairmen at the commencement of a one-day Nationwide Local Government Security Workshop organised by the police, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Justice Mission International, Shaffa described the event as timely, given the security challenges confronting some parts of the state
The CP urged the local government chairmen to look inward and work with their communities to identify individuals supporting criminal activities
“Let us look inward, because this attack cannot happen without the support of your own people We have some bad eggs among us and they are the ones inviting them. Police alone cannot do it,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of ALGON in Sokoto State assured the police of the association’s full support in their efforts to restore peace and security across the local government areas
He said the chairmen would provide the necessary cooperation and support to security agencies to enable them discharge their responsibilities effectively
The political party chairmen and their local government counterparts also assured the police of their readiness to abide by the rules and regulations guiding political campaigns and the elections
They pledged to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace before, during and after the elections