By Faith Chondol
The Plateau State Police Command has urged religious leaders to discourage fake news, hate speech and incitement to violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with Christian and Muslim leaders, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Jos on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued on October 21 by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the meeting was held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos to discuss security arrangements for worship centres before, during and after the elections.
The meeting brought together the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana; Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Samuel G. Egwu; and the Director of the Department of State Services, Paul Damian.
Representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Orientation Agency, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and other stakeholders also attended.
Faniyan said the meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration between security agencies and religious institutions to protect worshippers and prevent security threats during the electoral period.
He assured residents that the command was committed to safeguarding lives and property, adding that security arrangements had been put in place to protect worship centres.
The police commissioner also urged religious leaders to establish appropriate internal security measures within their respective places of worship to support preliminary security checks and intelligence gathering.
On the conduct of the elections, Faniyan warned against the use of religious platforms to promote violence or cause public disorder.
He called on Christian and Muslim leaders to use their influence to promote peaceful coexistence and encourage their congregations to act responsibly before, during and after the polls.
INEC Assures Residents of Peaceful Elections
The Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Samuel G. Egwu, commended the police and other security agencies for their efforts to maintain peace in the state.
Egwu assured residents that measures had been put in place to support the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections.
He stressed the importance of cooperation among electoral officials, security agencies and other stakeholders in creating a conducive environment for the electoral process.
Similarly, Major General Dangana, who spoke on behalf of the security agencies, pledged continued cooperation among security operatives to protect lives and property throughout the election period.
Dangana warned that security agencies would not allow individuals or groups to undermine the electoral process.
He also urged religious leaders to sensitise their congregations on the importance of peace and security, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
Stakeholders Seek Stronger Security Measures
Participants at the meeting expressed appreciation to the police command for providing a platform for engagement on electoral security and peaceful elections.
They also raised concerns and offered suggestions on measures to strengthen security across Plateau State and ensure that the 2027 general elections are peaceful, credible, free and fair.
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and visitors and urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and emergencies through its designated control room numbers: 07059473022 and 08038907662.
The command also encouraged residents to report alleged misconduct by police officers through its designated complaint channels.
As Plateau State prepares for the 2027 general elections, the police said cooperation among security agencies, religious institutions and the public would remain important to maintaining peace and protecting the electoral process.
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