BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is investigating comments made during a talk show programme on a local radio station, in which a caller had made threats to Nigerians who are living in St. Kitts and may choose to vote in the upcoming General Elections.
The threats were made by a male caller to the programme, who is allegedly residing in the United States of America.
Since then, the incident had caused much consternation and debate on political platforms and also on other talk shows in the Federation.
Management of the radio station in contention had however declared that the parties concerned in allowing the threats to be made were disciplined and the talk show host for that day was replaced.
Management has also voice its concern, stating that the threats were aired only once due to laxity of the talk show’s host, but it has been continuously aired on other radio stations in the Federation.
SKNVibes views the threats with disdain, as an act of such nature can escalate to extreme and uncontrollable proportions, especially if constantly repeated by media practitioners and or politicians at this time in the political history of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The police have stated in a communiqué that “the investigation also includes seeking the help of external allies, as the caller intimated that he was from the United States”.
The police have also issued a warning to persons who might be bent on making similar threats and are calling on media houses to ensure they are not used as channels for criminal behaviour.
“All persons are hereby advised that such actions and threats constitute a criminal offense and persons making such statements will be prosecuted. Media houses and hosts should use their best efforts to ensure that their outlets are not used as a conduit to facilitate criminal behaviour. The general public is asked to cease and desist from expressing words or taking actions that amount to incitement to cause injury to persons for politically motivated reasons.”
The communiqué stated that the Police Force is prepared to defend all citizens and residents on Election Day and that anyone who chooses to interfere with the democratic process through force or intimidation would be dealt with within the confines of the law.
“No citizen or resident, in fact, no voter legally exercising his or her right to vote, regardless of place of origin, has anything to fear on Election Day,” it added.
