The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning to politicians, political thugs, miscreants, and their affiliated sponsors against the widespread defacement, tearing, and destruction of campaign posters, banners, and billboards belonging to rival candidates and political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was delivered in an official press statement released on Wednesday afternoon, November 4, 2026, at approximately 1:47 PM from the Police Force Headquarters in Louis Edet House, Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the Force High Command, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, condemned the escalating political intolerance observed across the nation.
He cautioned that party loyalty does not grant anyone the liberty to destroy property or infringe upon another candidate’s constitutional right to campaign freely. The Police High Command highlighted that destroying, defacing, or unlawfully removing another candidate’s campaign materials constitutes malicious damage and criminal mischief.
Such illegal acts carry severe penal consequences under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law. To curb the menace, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has issued a direct mandate to State Commissioners of Police and tactical commanders across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately identify, arrest, and prosecute offenders.
Crucially, the directive extends beyond frontline perpetrators to encompass political sponsors, backers, and instigators who fund or encourage these acts of campaign vandalism. Reaffirming that all registered political parties and candidates are entitled to equal protection under the law regardless of their status or affiliation, the police spokesman emphasized that the Force remains committed to ensuring a peaceful electoral cycle.
CSP Iniedu urged political leaders and their supporters to show restraint, observe democratic norms, and refrain from turning the country’s political landscape into an arena of lawlessness.
