The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the destruction, defacement or unlawful removal of political campaign posters, banners and billboards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniede, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, expressing concern over the increasing incidents of deliberate destruction of campaign materials belonging to political candidates and parties across the country.
Iniede said the Nigeria Police Force condemned such acts of political intolerance and warned political thugs, hoodlums and other troublemakers to desist or face the full consequences of the law.
He explained that the destruction, defacement or unlawful removal of another candidate’s campaign materials could constitute malicious damage, a criminal offence under applicable laws, including Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which provides for the offence of mischief.
The police spokesperson stressed that political differences or allegiance to a particular party did not confer on anyone the right to destroy another candidate’s property or deny others the freedom to campaign.
He reaffirmed that all political parties and candidates, irrespective of their affiliations or status, were entitled to equal protection under the law, adding that no individual or group had the authority to determine whose campaign materials should be displayed or destroyed.
According to the statement, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in the states and the FCT to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents, investigate reported cases and ensure the arrest and prosecution of individuals found culpable.
Disu also warned that political sponsors and individuals who recruit, encourage or facilitate such criminal activities would be held accountable wherever evidence established their involvement.
The Force urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others, stressing that political intolerance, intimidation and criminal conduct must not be allowed to undermine the nation’s democratic process.
It further warned that the police would not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the country’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness, insisting that anyone found violating the law would face its full consequences.
The statement called on Nigerians to respect the law and support efforts to ensure that democracy thrives in a peaceful and orderly environment.
