The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into inflammatory remarks allegedly made by three prominent political figures. Under scrutiny are Sainna Buba (Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development), Danjuma Shekwolo (Chairman of Kuje Area Council, FCT), and Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East).

Additionally, police authorities confirmed that 154 individuals arrested during the August 15 Osun State governorship election remain under interrogation.

Speaking at a joint security spokespersons briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer Ani Iniedu emphasized that making inciting comments—particularly during an electoral process—constitutes a serious criminal offence.

Addressing the controversial statements tied to the recent Osun election, Iniedu revealed that police investigators have already questioned Senator Fadahunsi regarding alleged threats directed at members of the Accord Party.

“I was personally part of the team that interrogated the distinguished Senator,” Iniedu stated, reiterating that the law explicitly criminalizes any attempts by public figures to incite the citizenry while commenting on elections.

“The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order, and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored.”

The police further disclosed that all the alleged inciting statements by the political actors were being investigated and that the outcome would be made public.

“Every insightful statement listed here is under investigation presently, and the outcome will be released. We want to also use this opportunity to advise and caution all political stakeholders to desist from such comments,” he added.

The development followed controversial remarks attributed to Buba, who reportedly threatened to flog residents who refused to support the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election.

Similarly, Shekwolo reportedly warned residents of Kuje Area Council that they should either vote for the APC in 2027 or leave the council. Fadahunsi, meanwhile, was captured in a video allegedly threatening members of the Accord Party.

On the Osun election, the police said 154 suspects arrested as of the morning of the poll were still being investigated.

“However, I want to confirm that through the elections, as of the morning of the elections, we had arrested about 154 persons and they are presently being investigated,” the police spokesperson said.

The Force also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with investigators by providing statements and evidence needed to prosecute suspected offenders. He identified the reluctance of witnesses to come forward as one of the major challenges confronting criminal prosecution in the country.

“One of the challenges I must tell you now that we have, the law states that a case is made when there are two or three witnesses. He who alleges must prove his allegations.

The challenge we have in Nigeria right now is that most of our witnesses are those who have evidence to incident, do not come forward when it is time to go to court”, he said.

The spokesperson urged members of the public to provide information and evidence without fear, saying their cooperation would assist the police and prosecutors in securing convictions.

He said, “I would refer to you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in the prosecution of these cases.”

Meanwhile, the force spokesperson has defended the use of force against protesting pensioners in Lagos, saying while it respects the rights of retired personnel to demand their entitlements, such representations must be made within the bounds of the law.

The Force said every serving uniformed personnel looks forward to retirement and described being a senior citizen after meritorious service to the country as a peaceful and dignified stage of life.

He said, “The unfortunate incident in Lagos where pensioners were being tear-gassed.

Every uniformed personnel looks forward to the day when he retires. It’s a peaceful thing to be called a senior citizen after serving your country meritoriously.

There is no aspect, whether serving or retiring. Officers in uniform have challenges as well as officers who have retired.”

However, he said the rights of the pensioners to make demands did not permit them to engage in disorderly conduct or breach public order.

“However, the Nigerian constitution does not give the right to be disorderly in making your representation,” he said.

According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had twice invited the pensioners to his office and advised them on lawful channels through which they could present their grievances.

“I’m very aware that the Inspector-General of Police on two occasions called the pensioners to his office and guided them on relevant ways to take up their representation. We have had several breaches from them,” he said.

He recalled that some of the protesters had previously breached the premises of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and blocked major highways in the Federal Capital Territory.

“If you will remember, the protesters breached the premises of the Villa in Abuja. Another blocked several highways in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.