14 APC, PDP members on trial for violence at political rallies in Borno -Police

The Borno police command says 14 persons are facing trial over alleged violence during political rallies in the state.

Briefing journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday, Abdu Umar, the commissioner of police, said 12 of those being prosecuted are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while the remaining two are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said other charges against the defendants include disturbance of peace, inciting others in a disorderly manner, as well as causing hurt and mischief.

Umar said the police command is committed to ensuring free and fair elections, and in line with the directive of the inspector general of police, would arrest and prosecute persons or groups instigating violence.

“Whenever there are issues of progress, there must also be those behind the scene who are working to deter the progress,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“The assertion that somebody is going to disrupt the 2023 elections cannot be possible. We have so far arrested 119 suspected miscreants in various black spots who were working or trying to truncate peace.

“The police are very blessed with manpower. Apart from the conventional strength from the command, we have additional four mobile police force squadron units comprising about 1,800 policemen.

“This is apart from the other sister agencies that will also deploy their men.”

The CP appealed to residents to be law-abiding and to report any suspicious activity.