The Department of State Security (DSS), has warned that its men and officers will henceforth arrest and detain any Nigerian, no matter his position in the society, who promotes hate speech.
The secret police also sounded a note of warning to persons and groups in Nigeria that it will no longer tolerate any acts of lawlessness by those who ought to be law abiding and responsible citizens.
“The Service has also observed with total dismay the inciting utterances of some political actors whose activities heat-up the polity. It also wishes to express its disappointment with these politicians who, in their desperation, are engaged in hate speeches and even sponsorship of radio campaign jingles when the electoral umpire has not authorized such campaigns in line with the Electoral Act.”
The Security outfit, in a statement signed by Tony Opuiyo, expressed worry over what it called: “the unpatriotic involvement of some media outfits in these divisive tendencies which negate their constitutional role as the fourth estate of the realm.”
It said that in line with its statutory mandate of maintaining the peace and internal security of the country, it would not abdicate its commitment to go after anyone, no matter how highly placed, “who engages in acts capable of causing the breach of peace in the country.” [myad]
