The Kogi State Police Command has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State. The call for cancellation follows a newly imposed ban on political gatherings by the state government, which was announced on Monday.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya. Dantawaye noted that intelligence reports indicate potential security threats that could disrupt peace in the state.
The statement read, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.”
The police further noted that the rally could be hijacked by hoodlums, leading to unrest.
The statement added, “The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.”
Authorities also warned against any attempts to defy the directive, stressing that any breach of the order would be met with legal consequences.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on anyone who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State,” the statement read.
Despite the warning, Senator Akpoti-Uduagan has insisted that her homecoming event will proceed as planned. She has maintained that her visit is not political but rather a personal trip to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
