DSS reads riot act to political thuggery in Kano

Director, of the Department of Security Service (DSS), Kano office, Alhassan Mohammad has declared that it will no longer be business as usual for political thuggery, which has already threatened a peaceful atmosphere in the state a few months before the general election.

Specifically worried over the prevailing destruction of political billboards and campaign materials by supporters of candidates across party lines, the DSS director said no singular act capable of fomenting a crisis would be tolerated henceforth.

Mohammad gave the warning on Thursday at the Election Stakeholders Forum, organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano.

” I call on politicians to caution their supporters against an act of destroying campaign materials in the metropolis. This is the present trend in Kano, and if it is not stopped immediately, it will lead to dangerous results.

“But before that happens, we are deploying our men out to go after anyone caught in the act.” Now, it is time to caution them because I will not listen to any begging for the release of anyone arrested. Culprits would be arrested and charged to court no matter who is involved. “Enough is enough,” Mohammad warned.

Kano state Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Dauda who equally restated his commitment to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before and during the election, reminded police would remain neutral and non-partisan during the electioneering.

While pledging to remain guided by the electoral, police, and public order acts, the newly deployed CP assured he would not allow any special or individual selfish interest to supersede that of the public in the discharge of service.

On his part, Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Ambassador Zango Abdu declared 5,927,565 persons captured in the preliminary voter register in Kano.

He explained that the record is still preliminary because section 19(1)(2) of the Electoral Act of 2022 requires the commission to display the hard copies of the register for scrutiny 90 days before the election.

Abdul said INEC will track the campaign finance of all political parties as provided by sections of the Electoral Act. He cautioned the key actors to maintain a peaceful atmosphere devoid of violence.

“I swore under oath to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Kano, and I promised to work under that oath.” I owe Kano a duty to carry out credible and transparent exercises, and I will not renege. “I would also work with the security agencies as a team player and servant leader for effective and efficient management of the poll in Kano,” Abdul pledged.