The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, has reiterated that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that no political ambition is worth the loss of lives or the breakdown of law and order.
CP Dantawaye made the remark on Monday during courtesy visits to the traditional head (Sa’peyi) of Garki District, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, and the traditional head (Gomo) of Kuje, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Haruna Tanko Jibrin, mfr, as part of engagements ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the Commissioner used the visits to engage extensively with grassroots leaders, including 36 village heads in Garki District and 124 village heads in Kuje Area Council.
Addressing the traditional rulers and their councils, CP Dantawaye underscored the need for peaceful coexistence, tolerance and shared responsibility in safeguarding their communities as political activities gather momentum. He noted that democracy provides recurring opportunities for participation and leadership change, adding that election outcomes should never be a trigger for violence.
He said the overarching objective of the Police Command remains the conduct of peaceful, credible and violence-free elections across the FCT, assuring residents of the Command’s readiness to deploy adequate security measures to protect lives, property and the integrity of the electoral process.
The Commissioner also urged traditional institutions to deploy their influence to sensitise residents against violence, misinformation and hate speech, while encouraging cooperation with security agencies before, during and after the elections.
The visits, he explained, form part of the Command’s community-oriented policing and stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at strengthening collaboration, enhancing public trust and sustaining peace and security within the nation’s capital.
Residents of the FCT were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report emergencies or suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08028940883.