The Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) has given reason why it arrested the director of Media and Publicity Campaign Council, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State , Mr. Ben Bako.
In a statement issued by the State Director of Security of the
State Command, A.I. Koya, explained that the PDP chieftain was arrested over inciting statement that if left unchecked, was capable of leading to a “complete breakdown of law and
order in the state and beyond.”
The PDP Campaign director was arrested following a video in which he allegedly called for any body that fails to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming election to be attacked.
The PDP in the state however said his arrest was part of a plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to clamp down on opposition parties.
But, the DSS said the PDP chieftain was arrested in order for him to “shed more light on his inciting statement. Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.”
Read Also:
The statement reads in part: “On the 9th February, 2019, this service invited Mr Ben. Bako to shed more light on his inciting statement and call for violence in the state. Earlier on the 7th February, 2019 Bako had addressed a rally at Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State.
“During the rally, Bako was recorded calling his followers to kill anybody that votes for any party other than the PDP. The video has already gone viral through the social media.
“Bako, a former commissioner for Information in this state and a leader in his own right made this call along with other inciting statements at Kafanchan, deliberately with the intention to cause
violence in the state.
“This development, if left unchecked, could lead to complete breakdown of law and order in this state and beyond. Consequently, Bako is under investigation by the service and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed. Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.
“The service assures the good people of Kaduna State that in collaboration with sister security agencies would ensure that citizens are free to exercise their right to freedom of association and
choice without hindrance.”
