lagos – The Police Authority in Lagos has threatened to clamp down on the activities of individual and government agencies that destroy posters and billboards of political parties within the metropolis.
Reacting to the acclaimed several complains made by some political parties and individuals over alleged destruction of their posters and billboards by the officials of the Lagos Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA), the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Kayode Aderanti warned that anyone caught doing such would  be dealt with.
Addressing Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) members at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Aderanti said his office has recently being in undated with series of complaints from Candidates of  political parties, alleging mass pulling down of their posters and billboards by officials of LASAA.
He however threatened to deal  with anybody, group of persons or members of any political party arrested for their alleged involvement in such an act.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police boss promised a level playing ground for all political parties and their respective candidates for the forthcoming general elections.
He said, “I wish to draw the attention of all to the lifting of the ban on political campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which has kick started the campaigns towards the 2015 general elections.
“To this end therefore, the Command wishes to assure all the validly nominated candidates of the various political parties of a level playing ground that would  ensure that credibility of the electoral process”.
“The Command further wishes to enjoin all political parties to go about their campaigns in an atmosphere of peace and concord. Various agencies of government are also encouraged to be fair to all concerned in all their oversight functions to ensure that no political party is shut out of the electoral space”, he added.
Stressing further, Aderanti stated that he has noted with concern series of complaints that have been made against LASAA by candidates of various political parties over the removal of their campaign billboards and posters purportedly by personnel of the agency.
While warning officials of the agency to desist from such Act, the Lagos State Police boss said the electoral act 2010 as amended is clearing section 100(2) where it stated inter Alia that’s “State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidates at any election”.
Aderanti said,
“Let me restate the resolve of the State Police Command to invoke the full wrath of the law before, during or after the elections on any individual or agency of government that conducts himself or itself in any way that is inimical to peacefully campaigns and elections”.
“I have directed all area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPO) in the Command to be on the lookout and arrest anybody that attempts to remove any billboard or posters of any candidate of the various political parties under whatever guise, as the Command will not stand by and allow anyone to truncate the forthcoming general elections. Let no one, no matter how highly or lowly placed try our resolve to ensure a peacefully and credible electoral process” he said.
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government recently signed into Law the  signage and Advertisement Agency Law, which gave LASAA officials the power to enforce the law.