The Oyo State Police Command has expressed its resolve to investigate reported incidents of destruction of campaign billboards by criminal elements in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, stated this in a press release, AZ: 5250/OY/PPRO/VOL.6/160, dated 14 November, 2022, by the state police image-maker, SP Adewale Osifeso.
The resolution of the police is coming on the heels of reportedly increasing destruction of campaign billboards of political parties, just as one person was reportedly executed while destroying a campaign billboard last week
The police commissioner, in the release tagged “Re-Reported Incidents of Billboard Destruction By Criminal Elements: Full-scale Investigations Commence”, said the law enforcement agency will not condone such an act any longer.
SP Osifeso stated in the release that state police command, under CP Adebowale Williams, has resolved “to leave no stone unturned in its quest for the sustainability of the relative peace and tranquility enjoyed in the state.”
He said CP Williams has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to commence full-scale investigations into the alleged destruction of party billboards in some parts of the state, over the weekend, “by some unscrupulous and criminal-minded agents of mischief and anarchy.
The Commissioner of Police thus warned political leaders and other stakeholders to put in control their loyalists and supporters who he said are driven by the ideologies of enforcing dominance and territorialism through aggression and violence.
He warned that anyone caught destroying billboards, disturbing public peace or inciting violence through deeds or otherwise shall be decisively dealt with, in accordance with relevant laws and statutes of the federation.
The Oyo police boss also appealed to parents and guardians to prevail on their wards against being used as canon-fodder and destructive tools by politicians.
“To this end, political big wigs and other stakeholders are hereby warned to put a leash on their overzealous loyalists and supporters who are driven by the ideologies of enforcing dominance and territorialism through needless aggression and violence.
“We appeal yet again to parents, guardians and leaders of varying degrees of influence to prevail on their wards against being used as canon-fodder and destructive tools.
“The Command warns that anyone caught destroying billboards disturbing the peace or inciting violence through deeds or otherwise shall be decisively dealt with in accordance with relevant laws and statutes of the Federation.
“Lastly, the good citizens of Oyo State are encouraged to provide credible and timely information capable of nipping crime at the bud to the police with the assurances of treating such with utmost discretion.
“In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND), and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614.
“The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and i-Phone users respectively,” SP Osifeso stated in the release.
