The Nigeria Police Force has warned politicians, political thugs and their supporters against destroying campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to rival candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The police said individuals involved in such acts risk arrest and prosecution, stressing that political differences do not give anyone the right to damage another candidate's property or restrict their campaign activities.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, condemned the growing incidents of deliberate destruction and defacement of political campaign materials across the country.

According to the police, the destruction of campaign materials could constitute malicious damage, a criminal offence under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law.

The statement emphasised that all political parties and candidates, regardless of their affiliations, were entitled to equal protection under the law.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has consequently directed Commissioners of Police across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents.

He also ordered investigations into reported cases to ensure that individuals found culpable are arrested and prosecuted. Political sponsors and persons found to have recruited or encouraged perpetrators will also be held accountable.

The police warning follows reports of campaign materials belonging to different political parties being destroyed in several parts of the country.

In Ekpoma, Edo State, youths were captured in a viral video tearing down a billboard featuring presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Similar incidents were reported in Kano State, where campaign billboards belonging to President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allegedly removed and destroyed.

In Adamawa State, posters and banners belonging to local aspirants were reportedly vandalised in Numan and Nassarawo Demsa, while the NDC also raised concerns over the destruction of its campaign materials in parts of Delta and Rivers states.

Meanwhile, police and other security operatives in Calabar, Cross River State, prevented a possible clash between supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso and members of the APC.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when an NDC meeting expected to feature Obi and Kwankwaso was scheduled to take place at a hotel along Murtala Mohammed Highway, near the U.J. Esuene Stadium.

However, APC supporters had also mobilised for a street rally in the same area, resulting in a tense situation as the two groups converged in front of the hotel.

Reports indicated that hundreds of Obi and Kwankwaso supporters blocked the highway in an apparent attempt to prevent the APC supporters from reaching the area.

Security personnel subsequently intervened, separated the groups and redirected the APC supporters away from the meeting venue.

Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the command's timely intervention and engagement with both groups helped prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

He explained that officers appealed to the supporters to exercise restraint and ensure their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

A police officer who spoke anonymously also described the intervention as necessary to prevent possible bloodshed.

As of the time of filing the report, officials of both political camps had not publicly commented on the incident. Obi and Kwankwaso had also not arrived at the venue.

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