Kogi Police Arrest Suspected Anti-Buhari Campaigners

The Kogi Police State Command has confirmed the arrest of two
persons caught yesterday midnight allegedly carrying out ‘smear
campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari’ in Lokoja, the state
capital.

The state Police Commissioner, Ayuba Edeh, explained that at
about 2:30 a.m. yesterday, policemen attached to the command
arrested two young men who were allegedly painting buildings and
carrying posters with the inscription ‘Buhari Must Go’.

Edeh disclosed that while the people have the right to protest,
however, he said it must be done lawfully without inciting the
public.

He added that the young men could not have been protesting at
the wee hours of the night as being insinuated, as painting walls,
buildings and pasting anti-Buhari posters cannot be termed as
peaceful protest.

The commissioner said the police command was working round the
state to ensure the protection of lives and property, warning
mischief makers to stay clear of the state, as he promised that his
command would fish out and arrest perpetrators of crimes in the
state.

It was gathered that at an odd hour of yesterday, some youths
allegedly invaded Lokoja, campaigning against President Buhari
through paintings on buildings as well as carrying posters with the
inscription ‘Buhari Must Go’.

Meanwhile the state government has commended “the gallant and
vigilant youths of the state for rising to the occasion to crush
the ungodly campaign by some imported and sponsored youths, who
came to the state to campaign against President Buhari.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication,
Kingsley Fanwo, alleged that some youths had gathered in Benue
State from where they moved to Kogi State to paint walls as well as
display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-south
state.

Fanwo pointed out the Kogi youths, “who are ardent supporters of
President Buhari, apprehended the ‘sponsored hoodlums’ and handed
them over to law enforcement agents for possible prosecution for
violating the environmental laws of Kogi State as well as
disturbing the peace of the people.”

According to him, “We are placing it on record that the
fanatical followership of the president by Kogi people is borne out
of our faith in his integrity and quality leadership. Kogi is
Buhari and Buhari is Kogi.

“The Kogi State Government hereby sounds a note of warning to
all agents of destabilisation to steer clear of our state in their
bid to play divisive, destructive, destabilising and debilitating
politics. The state is focused on development and commitment to
improving the living standards of the people.

“For us, President Buhari is more than a national leader. He
represents an ideology that protects the poor and the weak; an
ideology of transparency and accountability; and an ideology of
security and stability. These are the unfailing strings that bind
us with the president.

“We urge Nigerians from all walks of life to continue to give
their support to the president.”

The Kogi Police State Command has confirmed the arrest of two
persons caught yesterday midnight allegedly carrying out ‘smear
campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari’ in Lokoja, the state
capital.

The state Police Commissioner, Ayuba Edeh, explained that at
about 2:30 a.m. yesterday, policemen attached to the command
arrested two young men who were allegedly painting buildings and
carrying posters with the inscription ‘Buhari Must Go’.

Edeh disclosed that while the people have the right to protest,
however, he said it must be done lawfully without inciting the
public.

He added that the young men could not have been protesting at
the wee hours of the night as being insinuated, as painting walls,
buildings and pasting anti-Buhari posters cannot be termed as
peaceful protest.

The commissioner said the police command was working round the
state to ensure the protection of lives and property, warning
mischief makers to stay clear of the state, as he promised that his
command would fish out and arrest perpetrators of crimes in the
state.

It was gathered that at an odd hour of yesterday, some youths
allegedly invaded Lokoja, campaigning against President Buhari
through paintings on buildings as well as carrying posters with the
inscription ‘Buhari Must Go’.

Meanwhile the state government has commended “the gallant and
vigilant youths of the state for rising to the occasion to crush
the ungodly campaign by some imported and sponsored youths, who
came to the state to campaign against President Buhari.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication,
Kingsley Fanwo, alleged that some youths had gathered in Benue
State from where they moved to Kogi State to paint walls as well as
display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-south
state.

Fanwo pointed out the Kogi youths, “who are ardent supporters of
President Buhari, apprehended the ‘sponsored hoodlums’ and handed
them over to law enforcement agents for possible prosecution for
violating the environmental laws of Kogi State as well as
disturbing the peace of the people.”

According to him, “We are placing it on record that the
fanatical followership of the president by Kogi people is borne out
of our faith in his integrity and quality leadership. Kogi is
Buhari and Buhari is Kogi.

“The Kogi State Government hereby sounds a note of warning to
all agents of destabilisation to steer clear of our state in their
bid to play divisive, destructive, destabilising and debilitating
politics. The state is focused on development and commitment to
improving the living standards of the people.

“For us, President Buhari is more than a national leader. He
represents an ideology that protects the poor and the weak; an
ideology of transparency and accountability; and an ideology of
security and stability. These are the unfailing strings that bind
us with the president.

“We urge Nigerians from all walks of life to continue to give
their support to the president.”