Claims that police officers are guarding President Bola Tinubu’s billboards have sparked public outcry and debate, particularly in Edo State, where photos emerged showing officers stationed on rotating shifts to protect campaign banners at key intersections like Ring Road in Benin City.
The deployment stems from a surge in political vandalism.
Several viral videos have circulated showing angry mobs and protesters tearing down, defacing, or destroying the President’s campaign and re-election billboards in regions like Kano State, Katsina, and Ondo.
In response, both state authorities and police commands have stepped in to protect the property.
The guarding of billboards has been widely debated on platforms like Facebook and X. Citizens and activists have criticized the deployment, questioning security priorities amid ongoing national concerns over kidnapping, banditry, and general insecurity.
State police commands have strongly condemned the vandalism, officially classifying it as a criminal offense, and have promised to profile and arrest individuals caught destroying public property.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has cautioned that early campaign activities and billboard postings are technically premature and violate the official election timetable.
Edo State Government has allegedly deployed police officers to protect Tinubu’s campaign billboards from vandals, around Ring Road.
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