Kano State Police commissioner, CP Mohammed Gumel, has narrated how men of the command uncovered moves by “unscrupulous elements” to set the government house on fire ahead of the Supreme Court Judgment.

Besides, the police commissioner disclosed that the governorship election appeal between Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered untold tension and forced security agency to be on the edge in the last two months.

Gumel made the revelation while meeting with media executives in the state at the Bompia command headquarters, Kano. Heads of private and public Radio and television stations as well as representatives of the mainstream newspapers and online platforms were at the interactive session held at the police command’s headquarters.

Although the CP did not mention the identity of those involved and whether or not the planned act was politically motivated, the CP hinted that intelligence management is still ongoing on those arrested.

While emphasizing the critical role of the media in crisis management, he appealed to media executives to consider the volatility of Kano in the reportage of the Judgment of the Supreme Court.

Gumel disclosed that the media professionals should demonstrate a reasonable amount of patriotism in ensuring peace and desist from acts capable of frustrating the security architecture of Kano.

The CP wondered why media outfit that ought to remain a peace setter and beckon of fresh atmosphere would resort to creating tension in Kano on a matter yet to be decided at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

The police commissioner said in order not to heighten tension in the state, many criminal moves have been prevented without raising highbrow since the governorship election petition trial commenced.

“Honestly, the peaceful coexistence we have been enjoying in the state had severally been attempted to be disrupted by some criminals but on most occasions, we have been able to prevent the situation.

“We have arrested criminals under the guise of protesting on political issue that embarked on looting and they have been arraigned before the court.”

CP said “Let me use this medium to appeal to the politicians to abide by the peace agreement they signed in the interest of the people so as not to create chaos in the state.

“At the same time, I want to appeal to the media not to create needless tension in Kano over what we come and go. We recognize your role and we will not ask you to stop your reportage but we want you to do that in truth and responsibly.

“Presently, over 630 repentant criminals have surrendered to the command voluntarily due to our effort for them to turn a new leaf and they are undergoing rehabilitation for them to become useful citizens to the society.

”Out of the first set of over 50 repentant criminals we have rehabilitated, only one has gone back to crime as the others are genuinely gainfully useful to the society. This we are able to confirm because we monitor their activities.”

Kano Council Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Comrade Abbas Ibrahim charged the police to facilitate training for crime and judiciary reporters to improve their knowledge and reportage to eradicate misrepresentation of issues.
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