Police restrict movement for Kano by-election

By Zubairu Idris

The Police have announced restriction of movement as part of measures to ensure hitch-free by-election into the in Dawakin Kudu constituency of Kano holding today, Saturday, 19, September.

The spokesperson for Kano Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, made the announcement in a statement on Friday in Kano.

According to the statement, the movement restriction on Saturday will last from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of measures to ensure peaceful, credible and hitch-free by-election in Dawakin Kudu State Constituency.

He said that Kano Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, had directed that only those on essential duties with valid means of identification would be allowed to move round during the period.

The PPRO further revealed that such people included INEC officials, accredited election observers, medical personnel, firefighters and accredited journalists.

He said that escorts attached to VIPs, political office holders and government functionaties are barred from accompanying their principals to polling units and collation centres.

Haruna-Kiyawa added that “no quasi-security outfit, vigilance group, or voluntary organisation is allowed to participate in the election security arrangement or loiter around polling units.

“No person will be allowed to carry arms or any dangerous weapon within and around the election venues.

“All forms of vote-buying, vote-selling and political canvassing within the vicinity of polling units are strictly prohibited.”

He added that all political parties, candidates and their supporters are enjoined to comply fully with the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and to be law-abiding.

The Kano commissioner further warned that anyone found violating the restriction order or any of the electoral guidelines would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He appealed to parents and guardians to caution their wards to desist from being used as political thugs to cause mayhem before, during and after the election.

He said, for emergencies or to report any suspicious activity, the public are advised to contact the Police Command in Kano through: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.(NAN)