DSS explains arrest of Kaduna PDP campaign chief

The Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services has explained that it arrested the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party campaign,Ben Bako because of inciting statement.

The security agency said Bako’s action if left unchecked,was capable of leading to a “complete breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond”.

The PDP Campaign DG was arrested after a video in which he called for anybody that fail to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming election to be killed.

The PDP in the state, however, said his arrest was part of a plan by the All Progressive Congress in the state to clamp down on opposition elements.

But in a statement issued in Kaduna, the DSS said the PDP chieftain was arrested in order for him to “shed more light” on his inciting statement.

The statement signed by AI Koya, the state director of Security of the state Command said “other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate of found culpable.

The statement reads:
“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 inviting 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 choicewithout hindrance.”